News

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.

A ceremony in Norwich marked the successful completion of a £3.5 million, two-year project aimed at providing much-needed accommodation for the gypsy and traveller community.

The initiative, a collaboration between Broadland Housing Association and Norwich City Council, focused on both new construction and the new refurbishment of existing facilities. This project created 16 new pitches with modern, fully-insulated dayrooms, and refurbished 21 existing pitches, resulting in 15 additional spaces.

Energy Efficiency and Community Support

Significant efforts were made to ensure the accommodations are energy-efficient, with updated insulation and new heating systems. This aligns with our mission to alleviate fuel poverty, particularly within this community. The project also involved close collaboration with the gypsy and traveller community and includes a new scheme manager’s office and enhanced community facilities to foster a stronger sense of safety and belonging.

Partnerships

Michael Newey, Chief Executive of Broadland, emphasised the importance of partnerships in completing the project:

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.
_{Michael Newey, Chief Executive}

Commitment to Affordable Housing

Cllr Emma Hampton, Deputy Leader of Norwich City Council, expressed her satisfaction with the project:

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.
_{Cllr Emma Hampton, Norwich City Council}

A Resident’s Perspective

Emily, a resident who has lived at the scheme for 51 years, shared how the improvements have positively impacted her life:

When I first came here, we had to use an outdoor toilet with a wooden door with huge gaps…It was so expensive to heat that we simply couldn’t afford to turn the heating on. I have never had it so good. 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.
_{Emily, Resident}

This project stands as a significant achievement in providing inclusive and sustainable housing for the gypsy and traveller community. Broadland Housing Association and Norwich City Council look forward to building on this success to continue supporting those in need of quality, affordable homes.