Disused garages become new affordable homes

Published by Julien Tremblin for 24dash.com in Housing

A housing group has transformed several disused garage sites into large affordable homes.

The five sites on the Britwell Estate in Slough have been transformed by Sovereign Housing Association, which owns and manages 33,000 properties in the South of England.

The six new family homes, which will provide accommodation for up to 37 residents, were unveiled at an event on Monksfield Way on 2 February attended by local MP Fiona Mactaggart. Since 2008, around 100 homes were built in Slough using the council's "garage strategy".

The garages are typical of the lock-ups that were built in courtyards on the Britwell estate in the 1950s. Many had fallen into disrepair and residents had become increasingly reluctant to use them.

Sovereign, in association with Slough Borough Council, has completed the construction of four detached and two semi-detached houses across the sites.

Roger Keeling, Sovereign’s Regional Development Manager, said: “Local surveys showed that by far the greatest housing need in Slough was for larger family homes to help accommodate extended families.

“These three and four-bedroom houses for general needs rent are able to accommodate up to 37 residents, and so will have a positive impact on housing waiting lists in the borough.”

The scheme cost a total of £1.1 million, of which £444,000 came from the Homes and Communities Agency, £70,000 from the council and the remainder from Sovereign.

 Mr Keeling said: “Sovereign’s aim is to provide affordable homes to people who need them. We were keen to support Slough Borough Council’s priority of maximising the supply of affordable housing, especially on brown field sites.

“Given the limited amount of land available for housing developments in the town, it’s important to make use of underutilised sites like these.”

The homes have been built with gas central heating, double glazing and solar panels to assist with hot water provision. The houses meet Level 3 of the Code for Sustainable Homes and are built to Lifetime Homes standards, meaning they can be easily adapted to meet the residents’ needs.

Councillor James Swindlehurst, Commissioner for Neighbourhoods and Renewal with Slough Borough Council, said: “With demand for affordable housing continuing to increase, the council is committed to doing everything it can to increase supply, and the garage strategy is a great way to do this. Before being redeveloped these sites were not only underused but attracted anti-social behaviour and fly-tipping.

“Since 2008 the council has delivered around 100 homes through the garage strategy, often larger than are provided in standard private developments, which fills a gap in supply to house larger families in the borough.”