News

A traditional topping out ceremony marked a milestone in delivering 5 new affordable net zero homes in Salthouse with local beer being poured over the roof tiles.

Broadland’s chief executive, Michael Newey, joined Jonathan Smith, commercial director of constructor Smith of Honingham, on the roof of the first of the new homes to be made watertight to perform the ceremony.

They were watched by representatives from North Norfolk District Council and Homes England, which together with Broadland Housing has formed a partnership to create a package of five ‘local need exception housing’ schemes to deliver much-needed affordable homes for local people across the North Norfolk district.

The new homes in Purdy Street in the village, will be operationally carbon net zero, a high level of energy efficiency which uses air source heat pumps, treble glazed windows, enhanced insulation and air tightness, along with mechanical ventilation, heat recovery systems to reduce energy demand, offset by renewable energy generated by photovoltaic panels.  Properties will also have their own electric vehicle charging points.

The new homes have been designed to fit into Salthouse’s existing aesthetic, with extensive use of flint, and in the style of a converted farmyard.  They comprise two two-bedroom bungalows, one three-bedroom houses and two two-bedroom houses.

When allocating the new homes, priority will be given to people who have a connection with Salthouse and its adjoining villages, under a ‘local lettings’ policy.

Mr Newey said:

Right across North Norfolk, villages are in critical need of affordable housing so that local people can live and work in their local communities.

This is a very good example of a scheme which is delivering exactly those kind of homes, designed to fit the local aesthetic of the existing village, and carbon net zero so that the impact on the environment is minimised.  Due to the homes being carbon net zero these will also be affordable for our residents to live in.

Following consultation with the local community, we have used flint in the construction so that the new homes blend into Salthouse’s Conservation Area and the Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.
_{Michael Newey, Chief Executive}

Cllr Wendy Fredericks, deputy leader of North Norfolk District Council and portfolio holder for housing and people services, added:

I am incredibly excited that Broadland Housing Association has taken this opportunity to build affordable homes for those living and working in the area who are in need of safe quality accommodation which is cheap to run and aesthetically pleasing.
_{Cllr Wendy Fredericks, North Norfolk District Council}

Cllr Victoria Holliday, who is the North Norfolk district councillor for Salthouse and also sits on Salthouse Parish Council, said:

I am thrilled to be able to welcome five households to the village, and so glad that people who were brought up here have a chance to live in Salthouse which might not otherwise have been possible.
_{Cllr Victoria Holliday, North Norfolk District Council}

The new homes are being built by Smith of Honingham. Commercial director Jonathan Smith said,

We are delighted once again to be working in partnership with Broadland Housing, delivering these much needed homes for local people.
_{Jonathan Smith, Smith of Honingham}

The new homes are due to be completed in June 2025, and will then be allocated  with priority given to those with connections to Salthouse and adjoining villages.  The homes will be advertised nearer to completion; anyone wishing to apply should visit www.north-norfolk.gov.uk.

Great Yarmouth Borough council, Broadland Housing Association and Orwell Housing have submitted plans for almost 100 new homes at The Conge in the town centre.

The planning application comes after the three organisations last year formed a strategic partnership with the ambitious aim of regenerating the key gateway site linking the railway station and the Market Place in Great Yarmouth.

The application reveals details for the development of 82 high-quality new town houses and apartments which, subject to permission being granted, will provide vital new energy-efficient and spacious homes.

Councillor Carl Smith, the leader of Great Yarmouth Borough Council, said: ‘

We are incredibly excited by what the regeneration of The Conge will mean for local people. This key location has been neglected for some time and this redevelopment is part of our broader regeneration strategy for the borough.

‘’Broadland and Orwell are award-winning housing associations and have a proven track record of delivering and managing high-quality homes and places. They bring a wealth of expertise and resources to progress the development of this key area of the town centre.

In a joint statement Andrew Savage, Broadland’s executive director development, and Greg Dodds, Orwell’s assistant director of development and growth, said:

Orwell and Broadland are both locally based and have a long track record of providing quality homes for rent and sale across Norfolk and Suffolk. We are delighted to bring forward this iconic site in the centre of Great Yarmouth as the first project under the partnership. The application at The Conge will help to transform a brownfield site into high-quality, well-designed and attractive housing. These much-needed homes in the town centre will be energy efficient to heat for the local people, and sustainable for future generations who will live there

The first residents have moved into one of seven new carbon net zero affordable homes in Hindringham. The homes have been made available to local families with a connection with the village.

New Residents

Cameron and Tyra Warnes received their keys from Cllr Wendy Fredericks, Deputy Leader of North Norfolk District Council, and Katie Docherty, Senior Local Delivery Manager at Broadland.

The couple had waited nine years on the housing list between them. They had been living with their six year-old son and 19 month-old daughter in a cramped and expensive private rented home in Fakenham.

Mr and Mrs Warnes, who both grew up close to the village, say that the new home has transformed their life.

At our house in Fakenham we never felt really safe, but here is totally different… Hindringham is a beautiful, calm village, and everyone is friendly… The moment we saw the house it felt like home. We stood outside having a coffee and you could hear a pin drop – a total contrast to where we were living before.
_{Mrs Warnes, New Resident}

Mr Warnes, who works as a postman, added:

When we received a call to offer us the home, we didn’t really believe it. I think we expected it to be rabbit-hutchy, but when we opened the door it took our breath away. And we have a garden overlooking fields – it’s such a better place to bring up the kids.

The fact that the home is energy-efficient is making a big difference too. When we rang British Gas and out that our energy payment was only going to be £45 a month, we were really pleased.
_{Mr Warnes, New Resident}

Now the couple is planning to host both families for their first Christmas in their new home.

Design & Energy Efficiency

The two-bedroom bungalow is one of seven homes built on an infill plot opposite the village school Hindringham. They have been designed in the style of a former farmhouse and converted barns so that they sit sympathetically with the local village landscape, using traditional materials like timber and flint.

The new affordable homes boast a range of energy-efficiency technologies including air source heat pumps, photovoltaic panels, mechanical ventilation and heat recovery systems and air tightness. As a result, they will be net zero operational carbon.

Funding for Affordable Homes in Hindringham

Funding for the project came from BHA and North Norfolk District Council, along with Homes England as part of a wider package to build six local needs exception housing schemes across the district.

Michael Newey, Chief Executive, commented:

The demand we have already seen for these seven homes in Hindringham shows that affordable housing is very much needed in village communities across North Norfolk.

The local lettings policy which applies to this site means that priority has been given to families who have a connection with Hindringham and the surrounding villages, ensuring that these new homes will be a genuine asset to the local community.
_{Michael Newey, Chief Executive}

A Success in Collaboration and Innovation

Independent East – a collaborative alliance of five community-focused housing associations in the East of England – hosted its biennial conference at Trinity Park in Ipswich. The event welcomed board members and residents, with the aim to continue to foster collaboration and innovation within the housing sector while providing a platform for open dialogue, idea-sharing and collective problem-solving.

Insightful Speakers and Meaningful Discussions

The conference featured speakers, including Jonathon Walters, Deputy Chief Executive of the Regulator for Social Housing, and Kate Henderson, CEO of the National Housing Federation. Jonathon Walters shared insights and answered questions on current challenges and opportunities in the sector, while Kate Henderson spoke on the new government’s priorities, emphasising its commitment to affordable housing following the recent budget. Their contributions helped spark meaningful conversations among attendees.

Exploring Innovation and Artificial Intelligence

Attendees also heard from Michael Appleby, Managing Director of Altair Consulting, on the potential of Artificial Intelligence in housing. Additionally, representatives from Havebury Housing Partnership and Saffron Housing Trust presented their experiences under the new regulatory regime, both achieving the highest compliance rating, C1, following recent expectations – showcasing their commitment to meeting new consumer standards.

The CEOs of the five Independent East member organisations expressed their excitement:

We are thrilled with the success of this conference. The exchange of ideas and collective drive to solutions was truly inspiring. We thank all our speakers who generously shared their expertise with us. The day underscored the importance of collaboration between customers and board members in driving positive change in the housing sector. We look forward to continuing these discussions and working together to enhance housing outcomes for all.

About Independent East

Independent East consists of Broadland Housing, Freebridge Community Housing, Havebury Housing Partnership, Saffron Housing Trust, and Orwell Housing Association. This alliance was formed to share insights and best practises, continuously improving services and enriching the lives of tenants across Norfolk and Suffolk. Their shared vision includes mutual support, shared knowledge, and exploring opportunities for collective action to better serve local communities.

Seven new affordable homes for local people have been handed over in Hindringham. All of the homes are net zero operational thanks to a combination of sustainable technologies.

Jenny Watson, Chair of Broadland Housing Association, received the keys to the five bungalows and two houses from Nick Suiter, Managing Director of King’s Lynn-based builders, EN Suiter & Sons, who constructed the homes on Wells Road.

We are now letting the homes to local families, who must have a connection to Hindringham to apply.

Homes Designed to Complement the Village

The new homes have been built on a plot opposite the village school and are designed to fit seamlessly into the local landscape, reflecting the look of a former farmhouse and converted barns. Traditional materials like timber and flint were used to match the character of the village.

The project includes five one and two-bedroom bungalows and two three-bedroom houses for affordable rent. In addition, four three-bedroom houses are being sold on the open market, with the sales helping to fund the affordable homes.

Sustainable Features

The homes feature a variety of energy-efficient technologies, including:

• Air source heat pumps
• Photovoltaic panels
• Mechanical ventilation and heat recovery systems
• High air tightness

These features ensure the homes achieve net zero operational carbon, making them both environmentally friendly and cost-efficient for residents.

Partnership and Funding

The development was made possible through partnership between Broadland Housing Association, North Norfolk District Council, and Homes England. It is part of a wider initiative to build six local needs housing schemes across the district.

Michael Newey, Chief Executive of Broadland Housing, said:

We are delighted to see the completion of these beautifully designed and energy efficient affordable homes. Affordable housing is not just about the rent; increasingly we are having to factor in energy costs when assessing whether a home is affordable.

The demand we have already seen for these seven homes in Hindringham shows that affordable housing is very much needed in village communities across North Norfolk.

The local lettings policy which applies to this site means that priority will be given to families who have a connection with Hindringham and the surrounding villages, ensuring that these new homes will be a genuine asset to the local community.
_{Michael Newey, Chief Executive}

A Valuable Community Asset

Cllr Wendy Fredericks, Deputy Leader of North Norfolk District Council, added:

I am so proud that we are working once again with Broadland Housing to bring another affordable housing site into our district. The design fits so elegantly into the village – it has been conceived to be an asset for the local community. We hope to be seeing more of these high quality energy efficient new homes being built in North Norfolk in the future.
_{Cllr Wendy Fredericks, Deputy Leader of NNDC}

The homes were designed by Norfolk-based architects Ingleton Wood. Director Chris Stammers said:

We are proud to continue our work alongside Broadland Housing Association and its partners in helping to deliver much-needed affordable rural housing in North Norfolk.

The Wells Road project reflects our ongoing commitment to deliver locally appropriate housing and place making, addressing urgent housing need in the district. We look forward to seeing residents move in and support the wider Hindringham community.
_{Chris Stammers, Director of Ingleton Wood}

Interested in Applying?

The homes are now being let with priority for local families connected to Hindringham and nearby villages.

Visit North Norfolk District Council’s website for more information and to apply.