TRADITIONAL TOPPING-OUT CEREMONY MARKS CREATION OF 31 NEW AFFORDABLE HOMES IN LOWESTOFT

An important milestone in the construction of 31 new affordable homes in Lowestoft has been marked by a traditional topping-out ceremony – with ale from local brewer Green Jack being poured over the roof slates.

Orwell Housing development manager Dawn Edwards joined Paul Pitcher and Bob Dowler of Lowestoft-based constructor Wellington to perform the ceremony, which marks the completion of the structure and roof of the new homes, on the site of a former tool hire business on Alexandra Road in the town.

Now the internal fitting will take place before the first families move into the new homes in the spring.  The 31 one-bedroom apartments will be made available for affordable rent by Ipswich-based Orwell Housing.

The new homes are the result of a partnership between Orwell and constructor Wellington, which identified the site and offered the opportunity to develop it to Orwell, with whom the firm has worked several times in the past.  The new homes have been built with the help of funding from Homes England.

“This is a major development of affordable homes for Lowestoft, which will really help tackle homelessness and housing need in the town,” said Ms Edwards.  “These are high quality new homes right in the heart of the town.”

Paul Pitcher added, “When we identified this brownfield site, it seemed an ideal opportunity to create a large scheme to provide a meaningful number of new affordable homes for our home town.

“As well as building affordable new homes for local people, this development is providing employment for local people, and it will stand as a good example of what can be achieved through working in partnership.