Next step to new council homes for Norwich

Tuesday 11th May 2010

The search begins for an architects’ firm, this week, to bring Norwich one step closer to its first new council homes for more than two decades.

Ten affordable houses are planned for a former council owned garage site in Bowers Avenue, Mile Cross.

The homes – three two-bed, five three-bed and two four-bed – will meet very high eco-standards and be of excellent quality and design. This is to ensure families in housing need are given first rate properties that are affordable to run.

Councillor Brenda Arthur executive member for housing and adult services says: ”The demand for affordable housing is growing and so the challenge to meet this is even greater than ever but we are determined to do all we can to get people into the homes they so desperately need and deserve.

We are immensely proud to be part of an agreement that gives us this opportunity to build our own homes again and that these will be of such a high standard”.

Speaking on the environmental impact Cllr Brian Morrey adds: “These homes will be built to higher development and environmental standards than most private sector homes. This not only affirms our environmental credentials it ensures the people of Norwich are getting a high quality home with lower running costs”.

The funding for the new affordable homes was allocated under round two of the 2009-10 local authority new build (LANB) programme and is part of the Norwich City Council and Homes and Communities Agency (HCA) strategic partnership, which will see £8 million invested in the city for a range of community facilities as well as new and affordable homes.

Architects’ firms interested in being part of this landmark development and who are experienced in designing sustainable and affordable housing, designed to be attractive and practical, are being invited to submit proposals by Monday 24 May 2010.

The next stages:
Monday 24 May 2010 - architects’ submissions
Tuesday 1 June 2010 - chosen architects announced
July 2010 - planning permission sought
December/January 2011 - building to start
March 2012 - houses complete

Posted by Kim for Norwich City Council