Demolition in Derby as site cleared for new social housing

A site in Penalton Close in Allenton has been cleared to make way for the building of a mixed tenure development that will include new homes for social housing tenants in Derby.

The building project is a partnership between Derby Homes, the arms length management organisation that manages and maintains council properties in Derby, and building company Strata Homes.

At least ten new homes will be built on the site, which will include a combination of two, three and four bedroom properties.  Two of the four-bedroom houses will be retained by Derby Homes and rented to social housing tenants, whilst the remainder will be sold to private owners through affordable home ownership options, including shared equity.

“The Derby Homes properties will be built to the very latest standards in energy efficiency to lessen their impact on the environment and make them economical to heat,” said Andrew McNeil, Derby Homes’ Regeneration Manager.

“The houses will also meet the Liftetime Homes Standard, which means they can be easily adapted for accessibility, should anyone living in the property become disabled.”

The first of the properties are scheduled for completion early next year, and the site will be finished by June 2010.
 
“These houses are the first phase of a larger new build project that is taking place on four sites across the city,” commented Dennis Rees, Chair of Derby Homes.

“In all, the new build programme will provide Derby Homes with ten new homes for rent to tenants, including some much needed four bedroom properties.  If successful, this could be the first of several similar projects that will bring further opportunities for new social housing in Derby, built on non estate locations alongside privately owned and shared equity properties.”

Staff from Derby Homes have been given the opportunity to get involved in the clearance of the sites, including Nazaqat Ali (pictured) who works in the Allenton Housing Office.  Mark Watson is also based in Allenton and will be the housing officer responsible for managing the tenancy of the new properties once they are occupied.

He said: “I’m looking forward to seeing this new development come to fruition. It’s a great opportunity to improve the local community and will allow Derby Homes to continue the good work it has been doing in the area.”
  
Jim Wren, Managing Director of Strata Homes, said: “We are really pleased to begin work on the new development at Penalton Close and have already received a lot of interest in the properties from potential purchasers.”