WORK STARTS ON £700,000 AFFORDABLE HOUSING DEVELOPMENT IN LOWESTOFT
Work has started on the construction of six affordable homes in Lowestoft, as part of a £700,000 million partnership between Lowestoft-based Wellington and Ipswich-based Orwell Housing.
Orwell chief executive Stephen Javes and Wellington managing director Paul Pitcher were joined by Waveney District Council cabinet member for housing Cllr Sue Allen to cut the first sod at the site to mark the start of work, which will see six one- and two- bedroom flats for affordable rent built on land behind a parade of shops on Hollingsworth Road.
The new homes will replace eight derelict garages on the site, and are due to be handed over to Orwell Housing in December.
The start of work marks the continuation of an ongoing partnership between Wellington and Orwell, which has seen several developments of new affordable homes, most recently in Halesworth, where 15 new homes were handed over this week. Wellington is one of the leading developers of affordable homes in Norfolk and Suffolk, and has also worked with Victory Housing Trust, Saffron Housing trust, Broadland Housing Association, Flagship Housing Group and Orbit Group.
“Affordable housing continues to be an important part of the construction sector,” said Paul Pitcher. “With grant funding under pressure, housing associations are looking to maximise value and achieve the best level of new homes, in both quality and quantity terms, within tight budgets.
“Wellington is competing strongly with national players in the eastern region, because we are able to offer a more bespoke service for the particular needs of our local housing providers, and build good working relationships with them that create genuine partnerships.”
Stephen Javes said, “Once again Orwell is pleased to be working with Waveney DC, in this case to bring derelict land back in to use to provide much needed homes. Also our development staff will once again be working with Wellington Construction who continue to be a valued partner.”