Welcome to the Autumn 2009 PHD e–bulletin. We aim to bring you news that demonstrates the way in which our innovative partnership is transforming neighbourhoods and creating desirable places to live.
Eamonn Boylan, HCA Corporate Director, New Ventures & Partnerships, officially launched Innovation Chain NW on Friday, 18 September at CUBE, Manchester.
100 guests from the region’s green housing sector joined Innovation Chain NW founders plus dane group, Harvest Housing Group, Great Places Group and Adactus Group at the launch.
Innovation Chain NW is driving construction innovation and delivering greener homes for the North West. By streamlining processes and building long–term relationships with suppliers and contractors, the partnership is reducing waste, reducing timescales and ultimately reducing costs.
Partners share learning and embrace new technologies to deliver energy efficient, environmentally responsible development. Their approach makes it easier for contractors to provide the quality expected and customers benefit from greener homes that are cheaper to run and future–proof.
Innovation Chain NW is seeking to increase its membership — thereby delivering greater economies of scale. For further information, please visit www.innovationchainnw.co.uk
The Rt Hon Beverly Hughes MP joined local residents and Partington Housing Association in August to celebrate the major, ongoing, regeneration of Partington.
To date, over £3.4m has been invested in the town by Partington Housing Association, part of Harvest Housing Group, and the Homes and Communities Agency (HCA). Sensitive redevelopment has completely transformed a number of formerly derelict sites, helping to create a thriving community.
Responding to the needs of local residents, Partington Housing Association has developed 23 new bungalows and three new three–bedroom family homes to date — all for affordable rent. Development of a further eleven new homes for affordable rent will begin later this year, drawing in a further £1.5m investment.
The Rt Hon Beverly Hughes MP told us: "Partington Housing Association and Harvest Housing Group have been steadfastly committed to the refurbishment of many homes in the Partington area and are now demonstrating their commitment to providing fantastic new build homes such as Coppicewood Close for those wishing to stay in the town and those returning to the area to be nearer family. These homes would only be possible thanks to government funding through the Homes and Communities Agency and I am sure the new residents are eager and happy to make a great contribution to the community."
Mr Edwards, soon to move into a new bungalow with his wife Sylvia, added: "We are over the moon and my wife said she has never seen such a big kitchen! We are both really looking forward to our retirement years in the neighbourhood near our families."
Solar thermal heating, coupled to a traditional or combi boiler, is standard in all new homes at Partington. Residents should see reductions in their utility bills, as this innovative technology aims to reduce the amount of gas used for heating and hot water.
Partington Housing Association is a member of Harvest Housing Group. For further information, please contact Mark Rogers, Senior Property Regeneration Manager at Harvest Housing Group at Mark.Rogers@harvesthousing.org.uk
Plus dane group is a treble finalist at the 2009 Sustainable Housing Awards, in the following categories:
These prestigious awards are organised by Inside Housing and Footprint magazines, in partnership with the Chartered Institute of Housing (CIH).
All new plus dane group homes are greener by design — modern, lean construction methods are mainstream and rigorous environmental standards are shared across PHD (Plus Harvest Developments).
Sasha Deepwell, Managing Director (Development & PHD), plus dane group, said: "Making the finals of these major awards is a fantastic achievement. The judges have recognised the considerable contribution and leadership that Inger Leach makes to the sustainability agenda, and the pioneering role that plus dane group has forged in the development of green homes."
Ted Stevens, Inside Housing’s events director and organiser of these awards, added: "We’ve had a terrific response, with hundreds of entries — plus dane group has done brilliantly to get shortlisted from such a huge field. Britain is leading the way on sustainable housing and innovative building techniques, so we’re delighted we’re able to organise a ceremony to reward those organisations that are delivering best practice."
The 2009 Sustainable Housing Awards winners will be announced on Friday, 23 October.
For further information, please contact Bridget Waters, Development Communications Officer at plus dane group on 0151 708 4686 or at bridget.waters@neighbourhoodinvestor.com
A £1.2m development of six three–bedroom homes for shared ownership has been completed at Grange Road North in Tameside.
Developed by Manchester & District Housing Trust, a member of Harvest Housing Group, these new homes have transformed a former brownfield site and provided much–needed affordable family homes for the Hyde area. Manchester & District worked closely with Tameside Council to deliver a development that suits the needs of larger families.
These stunning, eco–friendly new homes are available through New Build HomeBuy, starting at £82,000 for a 50% equity share. New Build HomeBuy — or shared ownership — helps buyers, who might otherwise struggle, to afford a quality new home.
Green features include solar thermal heating, coupled to the gas boiler, meaning that residents should see reductions in their utility bills. This innovative technology aims to reduce the amount of gas used for heating and hot water.
For further information, please contact Farmeda Kosar, Senior Property Regeneration Officer at Harvest Housing Group on 0161 248 2313 or at Farmeda.Kosar@harvesthousing.org.uk
Community activist Dave Henry was joined by children from Astmoor Junior School to unveil new homes at Muncaster Court, Castlefields in June.
The £3m development provides 25 new two–bedroom apartments, and is the first phase of the multi–agency, major regeneration of Castlefields Village Square to be completed — forming an integral part of the Castlefields Regeneration Masterplan. Muncaster Court was developed by plus dane group with funding from the Homes and Communities Agency (HCA).
The existing Village Square shops and community centre will be demolished later this year to make way for a brand new community centre, a new health centre, new shops, and more new, affordable homes — all set around a vibrant new public square. Residents have moved into Muncaster Court from nearby Kingshead Close and Keeper’s Walk — old deck–access blocks now also set for demolition.
Dave Henry, Muncaster Court resident and member of residents group T4T (Tenants 4Tenants), said: "These new homes are such an improvement on where we lived before. We feel more secure living here, we’ve got good neighbours and there’s a real community spirit."
Deborah McLaughlin, HCA Regional Director, North West, told us: "It is a real milestone in the regeneration of Castlefields that Muncaster Court is now completed and residents have moved in. This development marks the first step towards the creation of a vibrant Village Square where shops, community facilities and meeting places will naturally cluster and it will play a central role in giving the estate and the local people a brighter and more fulfilling future."
For further information, please contact Bridget Waters, Development Communications Officer at plus dane group on 0151 708 4686 or at bridget.waters@neighbourhoodinvestor.com
Chapter 1 Housing has announced its intention to join the PHD partnership, to support its ambitious plans to improve Mild May House, Liverpool.
Mild May House currently provides excellent support and accommodation for homeless men in central Liverpool. Chapter 1 aims to enhance its accommodation and services — and to engage more fully with the local community. Plans for Mild May House include a gym, fitness hall and café — with the intention of sharing these facilities with the wider community.
It is hoped that Chapter 1 will join PHD shortly.
For further information, please contact Hayley Hulme, Head of Business Development (Merseyside & Lancashire) at plus dane group on 0151 708 4682 or at hayley.hulme@neighbourhoodinvestor.com