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.