A collaboration between Together Housing and Kensa Contracting, resulting in sustainable ground source heat pumps being retrofitted into over 770 homes in the North of England, has won the ‘Heat Pump City of the Year’ category at the international European Heat Pump Awards (EHPA). The government recently set out aspirations
After a comprehensive spending review earlier this week, the Chancellor confirmed that a new Help to Build scheme would be made available for the sector. The review included two significant announcements for the sector: £2.2 billion of new loan finance to support house builders, which includes delivering a new Help
Initiative to ensure registered providers don’t miss out on mountain of ‘ethical’ investment cash A group of more than 60 housing associations, lenders and investors have come together to launch a standard designed to help the housing sector harness the £2 trillion ethical investment market. The Sustainability Reporting Standard for Social
Work is set to get underway on the UK’s largest ever energy retrofit project of its kind, that will see almost 650 homes in a Swansea community benefiting from the installation of state-of-the art renewable energy generation, energy storage and smart energy management technology. The homes, in the Penderry Ward of the
Using one or more of the following tips can make it much easier to get rid of bed bugs and other pests, and there are many reasons for doing so. Let’s take a look at them and find out how they can work for you. Getting rid of these pests
Living Space Housing and housing provider Paradigm have secured a 3.5-acre site off Oak Farm Drive in the traditional Oxfordshire village of Milcombe. All 40 homes will be delivered for affordable rent or shared ownership. Cherwell District Council has already awarded planning for the scheme, which has a development value
North Somerset Council has selected national house builder, Keepmoat Homes, to build more than 400 new residences at Parklands Village, Weston-super-Mare, making this the developer’s first venture in the area. The scheme, in partnership with Homes England, will deliver 425 much-needed, quality homes in the area, including 30 percent affordable
North West growth and regeneration Group, Torus, is delighted to unveil another major development in Cheshire West, The Coppice at Rossbank, which will deliver 130 affordable family homes for Ellesmere Port. A mix of 2, 3 and 4-bedroom homes and 2-bedroom apartments, built as part of a larger 260-unit development,
One of London’s largest housing associations is to undertake a comprehensive safety review across a six-block residential development following expert advice that the construction of the buildings may be putting around 1,000 residents at risk. Notting Hill Genesis (NHG) asked all residents living in the Paragon Estate to leave immediately
British Olympian and World Champion sprinter Richard Kilty has officially launched a new housing development in his hometown – the ‘Teesside Tornado’ unveiled The Sycamores in Stockton-on-Tees an £18.7m Keepmoat Homes development that forms part of the Council’s ambitious town centre renewal plans. Being built on the site of the
A collaboration between Together Housing and Kensa Contracting, resulting in sustainable ground source heat pumps being retrofitted into over 770 homes in the North of England, has won the ‘Heat Pump City of the Year’ category at the international European Heat Pump Awards (EHPA). The government recently set out aspirations for 600,000 electrically-powered heat pumps per year to be installed into homes by 2028, as part of a 10-point plan for a ‘green industrial revolution’. This recent award win demonstrates that the UK is already leading the way on the European stage in reducing carbon emissions to meet its 2050 net-zero target, and is committed to tackling climate change ahead of the COP26 summit, which is being hosted in Glasgow in November 2021. The Heat Pump City of the Year (HPCY) award commends local regions which have put in place large scale exemplary energy-efficient heat pump projects. Together Housing and Kensa Contracting’s continuing programme of retrofit ground source heat pump installations, which has increased comfort levels and lowered heating costs for hundreds of residents across multiple sites in Yorkshire and Lancashire, fought off competition from projects in 110 cities across 27 countries around the world to take the title. Cutting carbon emissions and confronting fuel poverty Following a successful pilot scheme in 2018, Kensa Contracting and Together Housing have been on a mission to tackle fuel poverty and reduce the carbon footprint of the social landlord’s existing housing stock. By replacing a mixture of old gas boilers and inefficient electric storage heaters with Kensa’s highly efficient and low carbon ground source heat pumps over the last three years, more than 700 households have seen savings of up to 45% on their heating and hot water bills. A tenant fed back: “The new heating system is amazing; before it was so difficult to heat up more than one room in my home, but now I don’t have to worry about that.” Using the current SAP methodology, the lifetime carbon savings have been calculated as 44,858tCO2. As the grid further decarbonises with the increased levels of renewable capacity, the carbon impact of heating will be further reduced. The scheme was procured using the ProcurePlus framework, the first domestic ground source heat pump replacement program procured via a framework in this way. Together Housing has made a significant commitment to renewable heat they are leading the way in rolling out large scale deployment of renewable heat technology. Patrick Berry, Managing Director of Together Energy Services, commented: “We are delighted to receive this award from the European Heat Pump Association. This has been Together Housing’s first major commitment to heat pump technology and it will make a great difference to our tenants’ carbon impact. The project paves the way for a much wider application of heat pumps as we move away from fossil fuels in our properties.” David Broom, Commercial Director of Kensa Contracting, said: “Kensa Contracting has pioneered the use of ground source heat pumps in social housing, developing the capability to deliver increasingly ambitious market-leading projects; our work with Together Housing is the largest of its kind delivered to date. This scheme has been a true partnership of client and contractor working to achieve a shared goal of decarbonisation, reducing fuel poverty and providing affordable comfortable homes, through the adoption of British-manufactured renewable technology.” Shared ground loop array infrastructure provides a blueprint After the incumbent heating systems have been decommissioned in each individual property, they are replaced by a quiet and highly efficient Kensa Shoebox ground source heat pump. The Shoebox heat pumps are then linked to arrays of shared ground loop boreholes drilled under the green spaces and car parks adjacent to the tower blocks. The system design is very efficient, as the energy collected from the underlying rock is distributed at an ambient temperature to the individual heat pumps, which then upgrade this to a higher temperature at the point of use and only when required. This is an alternative system architecture to traditional district heating, where heat is generated in a central plant and then continually circulated through the system, which leads to significant heat losses and potential overheating in risers and communal areas. The use of distributed heat pumps also removes the need for a plant room, complex metering and billing arrangements, and restrictive energy supplier contracts, mimicking traditional gas network infrastructure. Ground source heat pump technology is vastly underused within the UK, despite the system efficiencies being some of the best of any other heating technology available, offering the lowest carbon output and running costs. Shared ground loop array schemes are eligible for government funding, and Kensa believes that this accessible and innovative system architecture is the key to increasing the national deployment of the technology.
After a comprehensive spending review earlier this week, the Chancellor confirmed that a new Help to Build scheme would be made available for the sector. The review included two significant announcements for the sector: £2.2 billion of new loan finance to support house builders, which includes delivering a new Help to Build scheme for custom and self builders, as well as funding for SME housebuilders and Modern Methods of Construction. £100 million of funding to support, among other things, the release of public sector land, including for serviced plots for self and custom builders. BuildStore, which is an Appointed Representative of Mortgage Advice Bureau (MAB), is the leading finance partner for custom and self-build clients. MAB is the UK’s most recognised mortgage broker*, with over 1,400 mortgage advisers offering advice on a local level. Here, Raymond Connor, CEO at BuildStore, offers his reaction to the news. He said: “Both MAB and BuildStore jointly welcome the government’s introduction of the new Help to Build scheme. We started working with MAB seven years ago specifically to offer products and solutions for people with aspirations to build their own homes. “This announcement has been a while in the making. At times, it’s felt as though self and custom build has been on the sidelines, but this news shows the strength of this government’s commitment to diversification in the housing sector. “Unfortunately, we turn away a large number of potential customers every month who are interested in self or custom build, but they simply don’t have the cash deposit required. Although we await further details and a formal timeline for the scheme, we hope it will make building your own home much more achievable. “In terms of the wider market, the scheme will provide a major boost to the emerging custom build sector in the UK. SME developer are the lifeblood of this industry who day-to-day are the ones with the ability to divide up land into plots and sell on to the end consumer. We know that planning legislation is being strengthened all the time in this area to ensure local authorities offer serviced plots for people with a desire to custom build.”
Initiative to ensure registered providers don’t miss out on mountain of ‘ethical’ investment cash A group of more than 60 housing associations, lenders and investors have come together to launch a standard designed to help the housing sector harness the £2 trillion ethical investment market. The Sustainability Reporting Standard for Social Housing has been set up to ensure housing associations are able to prove their ethical credentials to institutions looking to invest in so-called ESG – Environmental, Social and Governance – assets. The market for ESG investments is thought to be worth £2 trillion in the UK, money which housing associations are increasingly being asked to justify their ethical credentials to access. The new standard, published for consultation today, has been pulled together with the support of 34 housing associations and 27 lenders and investors, including Lloyds, NatWest, LGIM and M&G. Housing associations backing the project include a number of the biggest in the sector, including Peabody, Clarion, Optivo, Sovereign, the Guinness Partnership, and Home Group. The standard has been drawn up by consultants Centrus and the Good Economy following a consultation in May this year. The social housing sector is thought to be the first to organise itself to create a standard of this kind to make ethical investing easier. If it is widely taken up, the standard should mean that housing associations will know what information any ESG investor will ask from them in order to ensure they meet ESG criteria. Housing associations currently use loans from banks and bonds raised on the capital markets to finance their activities, including homebuilding. Gareth Francis, director of treasury and corporate finance at the UK’s largest housing association, Clarion, said the initiative had the potential to allow housing associations to borrow more money at cheaper rates to finance the construction of new homes. He said: “Without a doubt more capital will be interested in housing associations if they can see how the sector is organised along ESG principles. This could be huge.” However, Francis warned the initiative would also reduce the risk housing associations could see current sources of funding dry up as ethical investing increasingly becomes the mainstream. “If you’re not engaged with this,” he said, “Over time you’re likely to find it more difficult to raise money.” Mark Davie, head of social housing at fund manager M&G said: “Social housing has always been seen as an ethical investment, because it’s housing. But that’s no longer good enough for ESG investors. Increasingly they’re answering more searching questions about what exactly your business does. “This initiative can make the process easier for both housing associations and investors,” he said. The Standard covers 48 criteria across ESG considerations such as affordability, fire safety and net zero carbon emissions, and will be overseen by a new Sustainability Reporting Standards Board, to be established in early 2021. Susan Hickey, a former chief financial officer at Peabody Trust, will oversee the setting up of the board. Lord Bob Kerslake, Chair of Peabody Trust, said: “This sector-wide reporting standard makes a significant contribution to the aim of increasing private capital flows into social housing, and will help a better and fairer economy and society to emerge after Covid-19.”
Work is set to get underway on the UK’s largest ever energy retrofit project of its kind, that will see almost 650 homes in a Swansea community benefiting from the installation of state-of-the art renewable energy generation, energy storage and smart energy management technology. The homes, in the Penderry Ward of the city, are owned and managed by Pobl, Wales’ largest provider of affordable housing, who have partnered with renewable energy tech and service supplier, Sero. It is anticipated that the innovative scheme, supported by £3.5m EU funds from the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) through the Welsh Government, will see the community generate as much as 60 per cent of their total electricity requirements, reducing bills as well as carbon emissions by as much 350 tonnes per year. Pobl has been engaging with local residents in Penderry about the future of their community over the last few years, including running a smart energy pilot scheme with a small number of residents. The energy retrofit, which will kick off in the New Year, is seen as a stepping-stone to a wider investment into the Penderry area that will have a positive impact across the entire community. According to Sero MD, James Williams, the project will make a compelling case for turning existing housing stock into low carbon, generative homes, creating “properly sustainable, connected communities”, and cutting energy bills for residents in the process. “Given its scale, Pobl’s investment in Penderry will be very significant in demonstrating the positive environmental impact that low carbon technologies can have within existing housing stock” he said. The Minister for Housing and Local Government, Julie James said: “The transformational nature of this project on social housing in Wales is significant and this has been recognised by the ERDF funding at a time when we need to address the Climate Emergency and create new jobs, training and innovation opportunities in our communities in response to Covid 19. “As one of the UKs largest energy retrofit projects, it shows a clear demonstration of the commitment from Pobl, local authorities and Wales’ social housing sector to reduce carbon emissions. “This innovative project in Penderry will not only make a difference to its residents but is another step to having more low carbon homes in Wales.” Sero will install individual or communal batteries for all homes that will harness power generated via linked solar panels fitted to most, so that renewable energy is generated and can be stored for subsequent use by the community. Every home will also have new smart thermostats and intelligent heating controls, managed through Sero’s digital app, to deliver energy bill savings for residents while also balancing demand from the grid so that stored energy is used at the most expensive times. The project will address new forms of inequality related to solar orientation by ensuring that all residents benefit from the energy generated by the community. The Penderry community will also benefit from large scale infrastructure upgrades, due to Western Power Distribution using this project as its national pilot to trial the positive effects on local grid infrastructure of renewable energy supplies and storage that are intelligently managed through trusted systems installed in people’s homes. Local resident Brian Mcallen participated in the pilot scheme and he welcomed news of the roll-out to the wider community, saying: “This scheme will have enormous benefits for the entire community, it allows people to really see how green energy works and how much money they can save to use elsewhere. It can be a real eye opener. “I’ve always been interested in it and thought about how we can use solar power to make a difference in this community, but there has to be an incentive for people. “ The scheme is the largest retrofit project of its kind – relating to the number of homes within one local area being retrofitted to deliver joined renewable energy benefits across the entire community. SWANSEA BAY CITY DEAL – HOMES AS POWER STATIONS PROJECT Lessons learned from the Penderry scheme will inform the wider roll-out of renewable energy technology in thousands of homes throughout the Swansea Bay City Region as part of a City Deal Homes as Power Stations project, subject to its approval by the UK Government and Welsh Government. Energy efficiency technology will be retrofitted to 7,000 homes with a further 3,300 new build homes also set to benefit as part of this regional project, which is led by Neath Port Talbot Council. Swansea Council has also already begun the revolution of creating new energy efficient homes in the city. A pilot scheme has been completed, retrofitting six bungalows with innovative energy saving equipment which has helped the properties generate their own power as well as save on energy bills. “Fuel prices and climate change are two sides of the same crisis, with people in Wales still among the most fuel-poor in the UK. We are committed to identifying new ways of making homes more environmentally and financially sustainable – and that includes our existing homes as well as our new developments. This means we need to be innovative in our approach to finding a transformative solution and we are delighted to partner with Sero. The scheme will introduce technology into our homes that will change lives and sustain communities while also looking after the planet for future generations.” Solitaire Pritchard, Head of Regeneration, Pobl Homes & Communities “This is great news for Swansea and for residents who want to live in homes which are sustainable and result in lower energy bills. Some of our own tenants are already benefitting from this type of development and it’s fantastic to know that Pobl are also ensuring those living in social housing in the city will benefit in the future. Jointly we can help reduce the risks of issues such as fuel and energy poverty.” Cllr Andrea Lewis, Cabinet Member for Homes, Energy and Service Transformation, C&C of Swansea A pathfinder scheme of this kind has already been completed in Neath, which will also inform the Homes as Power Stations regional project being led by Neath Port Talbot Council, subject to its approval. Technology like this is important because it’ll help tackle fuel poverty and improve residents’ health and well-being, while benefitting regional supply chain businesses and further decarbonising the local and regional economies.” Cllr Rob Jones, Leader of Neath Port Talbot Council “There is, quite rightly, a growing requirement for new homes to be created carbon neutral, and that can’t come
Using one or more of the following tips can make it much easier to get rid of bed bugs and other pests, and there are many reasons for doing so. Let’s take a look at them and find out how they can work for you. Getting rid of these pests doesn’t have to be as difficult as you might think. One of the top 5 DIY pest control methods is using an organic approach. You need to make sure you do everything correctly and use the right type of product to get the job done properly. If you don’t want to invest a lot of money in these products then it’s worth looking at some online resources to see what else is available. Natural pest control The other option that you have is to use a natural pest control method. There is a wide range of home remedies that are very effective at killing bugs and keeping them from breeding and causing problems in your home. Some of the most effective include: There are also several natural ingredients that you can include in your kitchen to ensure that you don’t have to deal with the problems associated with using pest control methods. One of the most popular ingredients for bug extermination is lemon juice. If you have an infestation of mosquitoes or cockroaches, then, applying a squeeze of lemon onto the affected area or a jar of yogurt is often enough to kill the bugs without having to resort to any chemicals. If you need further information on any of the top 5 DIY pest control methods, then you can find plenty of information about these methods on the Internet. You must find one that suits your particular needs so that you can ensure that you don’t have to make any long term or expensive mistakes when using them. Use of Baits & Sprays The most popular pest control method in terms of home and property issues is using baits or sprays that are designed to target the bugs and stop them from breeding. You can find a wide range of different types of baits and sprays from reputable sources, including online retailers. 2. Sealing cracks and crevices Another one of the top 5 DIY pest control methods is simply sealing cracks and crevices where bugs have previously been able to travel freely to lay their eggs. This can help stop the bugs from laying their eggs in your home or property and will also ensure that they don’t come back. You must seal up all possible entrances to the home as they will eventually spread through your property. 3. Use of Mesh Use a screwdriver to stuff in copper mesh into various gaps. This will help to keep the pests away Use of acrylic latex caulk You can also fill various cracks with acrylic latex caulk. Always keep a dry napkin to clean extra caulks. 4. Spider solution Use a dehumidifier in your basement. Maintain the temperature at 40 percent. Clean the cobwebs regularly. The spiders will decrease significantly in a week Several other pest control methods involve using chemicals and pesticides. Although it is best to avoid these products if you can, they can certainly help to stop the spread of a problem. As you can see, there are several different pest control methods used by various Pest removal companies out there. Depending on the problem that you have, there are several different ways that you can treat it. Hopefully, this article has helped you to identify which of the top 5 DIY pest control methods will work best for you. With the various pest control methods available on the market, you need to make sure that you research the ones that are right for your particular situation before making a final decision. The more time that you spend researching the options available, the easier it will be to select the correct one for your needs. One of the most popular DIY pest control methods is using chemicals and pesticides on a small scale, to kill pests. If you do use chemicals and pesticides on a large scale, then you need to make sure that you follow the instructions for using the product completely and that you keep away from any products that may be harmful to you and your family and pets. You also need to research the different pest control methods available before deciding on the method that is right for your needs. For example, there are pest control products that are effective at killing cockroaches, but not so good at killing mosquitoes. So take a look at the product reviews and ensure that you find one that will get the job done properly. You can also hire a pest control services to get rid of pests smoothly and safely.
Living Space Housing and housing provider Paradigm have secured a 3.5-acre site off Oak Farm Drive in the traditional Oxfordshire village of Milcombe. All 40 homes will be delivered for affordable rent or shared ownership. Cherwell District Council has already awarded planning for the scheme, which has a development value in excess of £9million. Construction work will commence next month, with the first homes scheduled to be available for occupation before the end of 2021. A proportion of the homes will be constructed to meet Lifetime Home Standards. The house designs across the spacious scheme will be constructed in either brick or ironstone, to reflect the appearance of many traditional residences within the historic North Oxfordshire village. Living Space and Paradigm have collaborated to ensure the scheme works towards the Government’s Future Homes Standard to lower carbon emissions. Air Source Heat Pumps will be installed at all 40 new homes to provide the future residents with sustainable, cost-saving heating technology. Living Space has appointed Betts Associates as the Engineering Consultant, while Birmingham-based UMAA Architecture is producing working drawings for the scheme. Arcadis has been appointed as the Employers Agent. Steve Davies, Managing Director of Living Space Housing said: “This is our first development in Oxfordshire, our first collaboration with Paradigm Housing, and the first scheme where we’ve taken the proactive decision to introduce Air Source Heat Pumps, so we are especially pleased to announce this key addition to our rapidly growing development portfolio. The whole team is working exceptionally hard to be in a position to commence construction as soon as possible, in order to meet the shortage of quality new homes in North Oxfordshire. “We are actively seeking additional immediate and longer-term development opportunities and have the funding in place to progress these deals. We would be delighted for agents, developers and landowners to get in touch and explore how Living Space Housing can offer a sound and viable solution for your residential land.” Living Space Housing specialises in providing an end-to-end service to Registered Providers (RPs), enabling them to deliver more homes with greater efficiency. Living Space takes care of land, planning, design, build and development. It can also assist RPs by delivering open market homes in order to help with a scheme’s viability. This enables Living Space’s clients to be able to focus on the funding and management of high-quality homes for their residents. Having launched to the market last year, the company is already on site at its first four developments. It has a total of 406 residential plots in agreement across middle England, representing a combined construction value in excess of £61million. Rebecca King, Head of Land and New Business for Paradigm Housing said: “We are always looking for opportunities to provide new homes in areas that lack affordable housing, such as in this historic and picturesque part of North Oxfordshire. These 40 highly sustainable new homes will be offered for affordable rent and shared ownership – so that depending on the needs of the family or individual, there will be a suitable and affordable option for them. We are especially pleased that the homes will be installed with Air Source Heat Pumps, which will deliver cost-savings for our future residents.” Milcombe is a charming Oxfordshire village located five miles southwest of the market town of Banbury. It benefits from a village green, local stores, a village hall, a 17th Century pub, and a church dating back to the 13th Century. It also enjoys excellent transport links to London, Oxford and the Midlands. Living Space’s live development sites comprise 38 homes located off Park Road in the Malinslee ward of Telford for Wrekin Housing Group, 26 homes located off Britannia Way in central Telford for Accord Housing, 51 homes at Pixiefields in Cradley, on the outskirts of Malvern, Herefordshire and 48 homes at the former Victoria Carpets Sports Ground on the outskirts of Kidderminster town centre in Worcestershire. The latter two schemes are in conjunction with affordable housing provider Stonewater.
North Somerset Council has selected national house builder, Keepmoat Homes, to build more than 400 new residences at Parklands Village, Weston-super-Mare, making this the developer’s first venture in the area. The scheme, in partnership with Homes England, will deliver 425 much-needed, quality homes in the area, including 30 percent affordable homes, 20 percent accessible homes and 15 percent zero carbon homes, with the remainder achieving up to 80 percent reduction on carbon output. The homes will be built using modern methods of construction, using off-site, precision-manufactured components which will improve the efficiency and quality of the build process. As part of its commitment to the local community during the development process, Keepmoat Homes has pledged to help generate opportunities in training and employment and will create at least 20 apprenticeships, as well as funding for local volunteering and biodiversity projects. Dan Haines, Regional Director at Keepmoat Homes said: “We’re delighted to be working with North Somerset Council to deliver new, sustainable housing on the Parklands development. This is a fantastic opportunity for us to strengthen our presence in the South West and create what will become a thriving new community.” Cllr Ash Cartman, Executive Member for Finance and Procurement at North Somerset Council, said: “I am thrilled to announce Keepmoat as developer for our land. The selection process set out rigorous standards that the developer would have to meet, and Keepmoat met and exceeded those requirements. “We hope this development will set a new standard for housing in North Somerset, showing that it is possible to deliver large numbers of homes at the same time as securing quality and improved sustainability and delivering affordable housing. I am especially pleased to see that 15 per cent will be zero carbon homes.” Keepmoat Homes was chosen as the developer for the site after a year-long, multi-bid procurement process. Work is due to start on site in October 2021 with a forecasted build rate of at least 85 homes a year.
North West growth and regeneration Group, Torus, is delighted to unveil another major development in Cheshire West, The Coppice at Rossbank, which will deliver 130 affordable family homes for Ellesmere Port. A mix of 2, 3 and 4-bedroom homes and 2-bedroom apartments, built as part of a larger 260-unit development, all homes at The Coppice at Rossbank will be available via Shared Ownership, Rent to Buy and Affordable Rent. The development builds on Torus’ expanding portfolio in Cheshire West, with schemes currently in development in Lostock Gralam and Kingsley. Combined, these developments represent a £9.2 million investment to date, with over 70 mixed-tenure properties created to meet the region’s shortage of affordable housing. This expansion showcases the Group’s ongoing commitment to Cheshire West and to building the homes people want and need, exactly where they need them – supporting the development of sustainable, thriving, multi-generational communities. By building a mix of homes, all of a mixed size and tenure, The Coppice at Rossbank is suitable for future homeowners, at any stage of life, and will see first time buyers, families and downsizers alike given the option of owning the homes they truly want. Working to create homes and communities, The Coppice at Rossbank will grow and evolve with the people who call the development home and become a place people live for many years. Discussing the scheme, Group Head of Sales, Jeanette Grady, said; “We are proud to be building more homes in Cheshire West and increasing access to truly affordable housing solutions and this ambitious project will see high-quality homes built exactly where they’re needed. “This development is an important one for the area and will see the brownfield site regenerated to accommodate affordable homes suitable for first time buyers, young professionals, families and downsizers alike. “With demand for affordable housing now at an all-time high following the national economic downturn caused by COVID-19, it is vital that we continue bolstering access to options such as these so communities across Cheshire West are able to thrive now and in the future.”
One of London’s largest housing associations is to undertake a comprehensive safety review across a six-block residential development following expert advice that the construction of the buildings may be putting around 1,000 residents at risk. Notting Hill Genesis (NHG) asked all residents living in the Paragon Estate to leave immediately in order to protect their health and safety while further investigative work is undertaken. NHG said that it would ensure that all residents living in the Paragon Estate were able to access safe alternative accommodation this week. It will also work with residents to find a longer-term solution to their housing needs where necessary. The further investigations will establish the full extent of the structural and fire safety issues that have been uncovered at the development and identify next steps. Earlier building performance issues, together with fire safety issues related to the cladding and the subsequent new government guidance since the fire at Grenfell Tower, triggered a series of safety checks at Paragon, undertaken by technical consultants, which have each revealed further problems with this development. Notting Hill Genesis said the action it has taken to address these risks as they have arisen, include establishing waking watches and temporary alarms, and introducing simultaneous evacuation procedures, but the latest advice has prompted the group to act in order to protect its residents. Kate Davies, group chief executive of Notting Hill Genesis, said: “First, I want to say how sorry we are to residents that we have had to take this action and disrupt their lives. But, as a not-for-profit housing association, our priority is to provide safe, affordable housing. We always ensure the wellbeing of our residents, so while we are incredibly disappointed to have to make this decision, we believe that we have no choice but to ask people to leave their homes on the Paragon estate. “I understand that Paragon residents may feel angry or alarmed by this news, as they have every right to be. This is a very distressing time and we are genuinely sorry for the huge amount of disruption and uncertainty that this situation will cause. “This is a complex situation and we don’t yet have all the answers. We are working to uncover the full extent of the issues at Paragon so that we can provide residents with clarity about timescales, next steps and options as quickly as possible. “We are doing all we can to support people who live in Paragon through this difficult situation. We have identified safe accommodation for everyone to move into this week and are providing financial as well as mental health and wellbeing support to help them do that. We are also giving everyone a dedicated caseworker to discuss their specific needs both now and for the longer-term where necessary.” Paragon is a development of six blocks containing a total of 1,059 homes in Brentford, Hounslow. It was developed by Berkeley First, part of The Berkeley Group plc. The estate was owned initially by the former Presentation Housing Association, which became part of Notting Hill Housing – now Notting Hill Genesis – in 2009. Notting Hill Housing group, which became part of Notting Hill Genesis group in 2018, acquired Paragon in 2009. The six blocks consist of the following: Block A – a five-storey building consisting of 41 units of intermediate market rent. Block B – three interconnected buildings of four, five and nine storeys with 107 shared ownership leasehold units and 72 intermediate rent. Blocks C, D, E and F – 17, 12, 12 and five-storeys respectively, hold a combined 839 units of student accommodation which is occupied by students nominated by the University of West London. There is no suggestion that any other buildings in the Notting Hill Genesis portfolio will require a similar approach to the one being taken at Paragon. Buildings are being investigated and prioritised based on factors such as height, external materials used and evacuation procedure, and residents informed if further investigation or remedial work is required. Where necessary, and in consultation with fire safety assessors, interim safety measures such as simultaneous evacuation procedures, supported by 24-hour patrols and temporary alarms are in place.
British Olympian and World Champion sprinter Richard Kilty has officially launched a new housing development in his hometown – the ‘Teesside Tornado’ unveiled The Sycamores in Stockton-on-Tees an £18.7m Keepmoat Homes development that forms part of the Council’s ambitious town centre renewal plans. Being built on the site of the recently demolished Victoria Estate, The Sycamores scheme, located directly behind Splash Sport and Leisure Centre and near to the new Hampton by Hilton Hotel, is an integral part of the Council’s ambitious town centre regeneration plan. Incorporating Healthy New Town principles, the scheme is designed around over 200 mature trees on the site to create a high-quality scheme in an attractive landscaped environment. The Teesside Tornado scheme will form the North East corner of the new transformed town centre and complements the refurbishment of the Globe Theatre and other enhancements at the northern end of the town centre. Work on the £18.7m, 143-home scheme started earlier this year and the project is a joint collaboration between top ten national housebuilder Keepmoat Homes and Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council. Richard, who as a child lived on the demolished Victoria Estate was invited to officially launch the development and unveil the new show village which provides a glimpse of what the town centre living will be like in the transformed area. Ian Prescott, North East Land and Partnerships Director at Keepmoat Homes, said: “We’re delighted that Richard has joined us to formally launch The Sycamores and witness the changes that are taking place in his hometown and on the site where he once lived – he’s a fantastic advocate for the area and a local sporting icon. “Keepmoat has a long-standing partnership with Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council which has delivered the regeneration of the Mandale Estate in Thornaby and the Hardwick and Swainby Road estates in Stockton. The Sycamores is potentially the most ambitious and exciting project taken on by the partnership to date.” Councillor Nigel Cooke, Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council’s Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Housing, added: “We are delighted that The Sycamores is progressing well and it’s an honour to have Richard launch a new development here in his hometown. “The site is the latest piece of the jigsaw in our town centres fightback and offers a variety of affordable, high quality housing just a stone’s throw away from local restaurants, leisure facilities, shops and transport links that will no doubt appeal to a range of residents. “We’ve said all along that we have to revitalise our town centres and high streets in different ways – encouraging people to live in or nearby them is key to our vision for the future.”