MP lays time capsule to mark work on 100% affordable housing scheme in Hackney

Meg Hillier, MP for Hackney South and Shoreditch, laid a ceremonial time capsule at Wenlock Street in Hackney, on Friday to celebrate the collaboration between Genesis Housing Group and its partners as work on an affordable housing scheme for the area begins.

The filling of the time capsule was witnessed by local residents, community support officers and contractors at 1-3 Wenlock Street before it was buried by Steve Coleman, Group Director of Development, who shovelled sand on to it from a wheelbarrow in the development car park.

The speeches and ceremony were followed by tours of the site, taking in spectacular views of the London skyline from the top of one of the blocks.

Wenlock Street is an all affordable housing scheme comprising 117 residential units. Genesis purchased the site from a private developer in October 2006 along with planning consent for just 36 affordable housing units – the minimum number of affordable units required by legislation.

Genesis then obtained support from Hackney to deliver the scheme as 100% affordable – and its bid was successful for grant funding for the remaining 86 units.

The scheme is being delivered through the Logic Homes’ partnership alliance of which Genesis and Hill Partnerships are shareholders.

Representatives of local residents groups and businesses submitted items for inclusion in the capsule. These included a copy of the Hackney Press newspaper, floor plans, national newspapers, signed photographs from local residents, the Wenlock Barn newsletter and Genesis Housing Group company information. A plaque marks the exact spot where the capsule is buried.

Genesis is working with Islington and Shoreditch Housing Association on this flagship scheme for Hackney, to deliver the scheme by May 2009. Building works started in March 2007.

Meg Hillier, MP for Hackney South and Shoreditch, said “This is a great day to celebrate the collaboration of all the parties who have been involved in this project.

"This represents a wonderful example of how Hackney is making a real difference in providing all-affordable homes in the very heart of London. This development will make a huge difference to the lives of those who live there, particularly to key workers”.

Steve Coleman, Group Director of Development at Genesis Housing Group, said “Genesis is extremely pleased to be marking the start of this 100% affordable scheme and to be building on our relationship with Hackney for our first development here in Wenlock Barn.

"This project will deliver critically needed affordable housing in this city centre location and will no doubt improve the lives of many Hackney residents.”

Councillor Jamie Carswell, Chief Executive of Hackney Council, said “We need to ensure our services are working together to meet the housing needs of families.

"It is a credit to Genesis’ co-ordinated approach on the project that this development is really taking shape and making a difference to residents in the area.

"It’s great to see how many people have contributed to the time capsule, there’s a real community feel already to this project and it’s so nice to see lots of people involved in this development even at this early stage.”