CEREMONY MARKS CULMINATION OF PROJECT TO PROVIDE MUCH-NEEDED ACCOMMODATION FOR GYPSY AND TRAVELLER COMMUNITY IN NORWICH
A ceremony in Norwich has marked the completion of a two year £3.5 million project to provide much-needed additional gypsy and traveller accommodation in the city.
The joint initiative between Broadland Housing Association and Norwich City Council at Swanton Road has seen the construction of new accommodation buildings, alongside the refurbishment of existing buildings and pitches to provide modern, energy-efficient and comfortable spaces for residents.
Sixteen brand new pitches have been created, complete with fully-insulated dayrooms featuring living space kitchen, bathroom and toilet. Twenty-one existing pitches have been completely refurbished and reconfigured to provide a total of 15 additional pitches.
A particular emphasis has been providing thermally and energy-efficient living spaces for residents, with additional insulation fitted to existing buildings and new heating and hot water systems installed – part of Broadland Housing’s strategic commitment to taking people out of fuel poverty.
The project has seen ongoing liaison with the gypsy and traveller community on the site, and the project includes the provision of a new scheme manager’s office and community facilities, with the aim of enhancing the sense of community and residents’ safety on the site.
Michael Newey, chief executive of Broadland Housing Association said, “Building partnerships has been the key ingredient in bringing this project to fruition. Without Norwich City Council we would not have been able to do it, and funding from Homes England and the housing Ministry gave us the wherewithal to complete the project.
“What we have done here is completely in line with Broadland Housing’s purpose, which is to provide homes for communities of people who can’t afford or who can’t access satisfactory housing.
“This particular community often suffers a heightened level of fuel poverty, both because static caravans are not always brilliantly insulated, but also because the older dayrooms were not insulated either – so this will make a real difference in terms of fuel poverty.
“It is estimated that there are around 3,000 families living in caravans with no authorised place to stop tonight. It is a sad fact that this community often suffers a lot of prejudices, stereotyping and challenges getting things through planning, so I am delighted that we now have Swanton Road as part of the portfolio, and that we have been able to deliver these much-needed improvements.”
Cllr Emma Hampton, deputy leader for Norwich City Council said, “I am very pleased the Swanton Road site development has been completed. This is part of our strategic commitment to provide affordable housing for our Traveller and Gypsy communities.
“The extensive rebuild and renovation means we now have 31 different pitches, and brand-new facilities, which are affordable, comfortable and energy efficient.”
Case Study: Emily Brazil
64 year-old Emily Brazil has lived at the Swanton Road site for 51 years, and says that the improvement project has revolutionised her life.
“When I first came here we had to use an outdoor toilet with a wooden door with huge gaps at the top and bottom, and the accommodation was cramped, and freezing in the winter,” she says.
“The site had gone a long time without being renewed, and it was cold and damp everywhere. It was so expensive to heat that we simply couldn’t afford to turn the heating on, because the buildings were badly-insulated and draughty.”
Mrs Brazil, whose son, daughter, brother and two nieces also live at the Swanton Road site, says that the new facilities have completely transformed her life.
“I have never had it so good,” she says. “It is warm and affordable to heat, there is plenty of space for the children to play. I feel like I have got a proper home now.”