Two MPs visit new Paradigm homes

Published by Liz Turner for Paradigm Housing Group in Housing and also in Central Government

Caroline Flint, Shadow Secretary of State of Communities and Local Government, and Fiona Mactaggart, MP for Slough, planted a tree in the garden of one of Paradigm housing’s new homes on Quinbrookes, Slough, on 22 March.

Four spacious four-bedroom houses with large gardens stand on a site formerly occupied by derelict garages, which attracted serious anti-social behaviour.

Paradigm has worked in close partnership with Slough Borough Council to build 20 properties on eight garage sites for general needs rent. Grant funding was provided by the HCA and the local authority.

Caroline Flint said: “This project shows real imagination. It provides much-needed larger homes for families, plus it solves problems in the community. So it’s value for money and the surrounding neighbours feel they are getting something out of this, too.”

Deputy Leader of Slough Borough Council, Councillor James Swindlehurst was a driving force behind this project. He said: The garages here were too small for modern cars because they were built in the 1930s, most had no doors. There was fly tipping and complaints from neighbours. It used to cost £30 to £40,000 per year to clear all the sites like this in the borough.”

He continued: “We have 6,000 people on the waiting list for homes in Slough and some people who will be moving in here have been waiting 10 or 15 years for  family housing.”

Fiona Mactaggart said: “Projects like this lift the spirit of the local community. I want to thank Paradigm, the councillors and officers at Slough who worked for this.”

David Smith, Executive Director of Operations for Paradigm said: “The transformation of run-down garages into homes has been achieved because Paradigm, Slough Borough Council, the Homes and Communities Agency and the builder, Mansells have all co-operated to find solutions. The co-operation on this project has been exceptional and we are looking forward to new families moving in.”

Five of the 20 new homes being built by Paradigm and Mansells are much-sought-after four-bedroom houses, one even has five. All the homes are built to the Code for Sustainable Homes Level 3 and have large cycle stores.