Housing Minister impressed with progress at Rayners Lane estate » Housing » 24dash.com

Housing Minister John Healey MP took time out of his busy schedule recently to see at first hand the difference fantastic new homes at Rayners Lane estate are making for local people.

Home, in partnership with Harrow Council, are on track to provide nearly 800 new homes, almost 300 more than previously available, by 2014. A vibrant new community is emerging with properties available for rent, private sale and through Home’s shared equity scheme.

The extra homes, plus the choice of tenures, new surroundings and access to local amenities means more local people are attracted to living at Rayners Lane.

The Housing Minister was very positive about the progress Home Group has made so far and said: “Seeing first hand the work going on makes clear the value and power of public investment. The new homes are spacious, warm with plenty of room and would not look out of place on a private housing development.”

The Minister visited Home resident Paula Hackett who has lived at Rayners Lane estate all her life. Paula recently moved into her rented family house at Harmony Terrace. She told the Minister: “My new house is just brilliant, so much better than the flat we were Iiving in before. Now people come round to visit me all the time, I am so proud of my new place and it feels so much safer. The regeneration work going on here is excellent the whole community is improving.”

Gareth Thomas MP for Harrow West accompanied the Housing Minister along with Jonathon Higgs, Managing Director for Home Groups south region.

Jonathan said: ‘We have been working with local residents to build not just homes but a community here. Taken together the community centre, the childrens’ centre, the shop, the sports zone, and employment and training programmes all contribute to the success of this project.’

Gareth Thomas said: “I invited John Healey, housing minister, to see the progress being made on the Rayners Lane Estate, why more support is needed to help complete the redevelopment and to make the case for more Government money to modernise the Grange Farm Estate and Mill Farm Close nearby.”

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Notes to Newsdesks/Reporters:

For further information contact Debbie Pack, PR Officer, on 020 8582 2203 or 07985 339551 or email debbie.pack@homegroup.org.uk

About Rayners Lane

Home took over management of Rayners Lane Estate – the largest in the London Borough of Harrow – in 2002. Work began in 2003. There has been close consultation between residents, MEPK architects and Inspace Partnerships building contractors

539 flats and maisonettes in poor repair are being demolished and replaced with a mixture of 474 houses with gardens and flats with balconies. Home is also building 301 properties for private sale and 17 properties for shared ownership making an overall total of 792 modern comfortable homes for residents and potential home buyers when the scheme is completed in 2014.

The overall cost to regenerate Rayners Lane is estimated at £140 million, which will mostly be financed by revenue generated from the private sale properties. The Homes and Communities Agency (HCA) has also recently confirmed it will allocate £27.4 million towards this highly successful and well established project.

Six phases of the programme are now complete providing over 359 new homes for rent and 64 apartments for sale. New roads, named by the residents, such as ‘Harmony Terrace’, ‘Goodwill Drive’, ‘Karma Way’ are helping to enhance a new sense of community.

Each house has a garden and all the flats have balconies. Colour is emerging on the estate as plants and flowers become established and residents discover their ‘green fingers’. The next phase of 21 new rented homes is currently on site and due to complete soon.

Three apprentices will be working on the eighth phase which will complete the new homes for rent. This phase is due to start early this year and includes 94 rented homes, 32 private sale apartments and 17 intermediate rent to buy homes.

Providing opportunities for local people

Home now offers regular activities for residents of all ages living in or around Rayners Lane. Most of these take place at the Beacon, Rayners Lane’s very own community centre. The Beacon offers: computer training, English classes and an Xcite programme providing information, advice and guidance on employment opportunities, plus advice services, activities for the over 50’s, police surgeries, sports and health and fitness activities. These classes are always well attended and are run in partnership with local agencies such as Harrow College, Harrow Council, Watford FC, Harrow Police and Age Concern.

About Home

Home is one of the UK’s leading providers of affordable and supported housing, and is committed to providing affordable homes, neighbourhoods where people want to live and support to those who need it.

The organisation, which has a turnover of £283m, manages over 55,000 homes throughout England and Scotland and employs 4500 staff.

Home has grown rapidly in the last ten years, through six mergers as well as organic growth. Home South manages nearly 15,000 homes through a network of 14 offices in the region.