HAMMERS SWING INTO ACTION AT HAMMER LANE

A housing association is hammering home the message that more affordable homes are on their way in Hemel Hempstead.

William Sutton Housing Association is providing 12 apartments at Hammer Lane, Adeyfield, which will be offered at affordable rents to local people.

Dacorum Borough Mayor, Cllr Catherine Appleby, helped to get the demolition underway on Friday (Dec 8th) at an on-site ceremony.

The event, also attended by William Sutton Chief Executive Paul Eastwood and Chair Kerry Pollard, saw sledge hammers swing into action to clear the old warehouse buildings at the site.

Once cleared, work will begin on the block of 12 apartments, which are due to be completed towards the end of next year.

On completion they will be allocated by Dacorum Borough Council to local people on the waiting list for affordable housing.

Mr Eastwood, Chief Executive of William Sutton, said: “As one of the leading providers of affordable housing in Hemel Hempstead, we were delighted to be approached by Dacorum Borough Council to develop the site at Hammer Lane.

“These apartments will provide a boost in the provision of high-quality affordable accommodation, and we look forward to the project being completed and the first new residents moving in.”

Cllr Appleby said: “William Sutton Housing Association has always been a great support to us as we work to meet local housing needs. On visiting previous schemes I have always been impressed by the high standard of the building work and fittings.

“William Sutton also understands that providing homes is not just about providing bricks and mortar. I am impressed with the care they show towards their tenants. It is really to their credit.”

The homes are being built with the help of a £600,000 grant from the Housing Corporation, the body which funds and regulates the affordable housing sector.

Building work on the new apartments, which will be a mix of one and two-bedrooms, is due to start in January 2007. The scheme has been designed by integrated construction consultancy Avebury, which is a specialist in affordable housing, and will be built by The Durkan Group.

Ends

Press release issued: December 12 2006