Broadland Housing Association

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    Affordable Homes Project Begins in West Beckham

    Affordable Homes Project Begins in West Beckham

    Construction has started ten new affordable homes for rent in West Beckham, a village in North Norfolk. These homes will be prioritised for local residents and those from nearby areas.

    Representatives from Broadland Housing Association and North Norfolk District Council held a sod-cutting ceremony at one of the sites on Church Road, opposite St Helens & All Saints Church.

    New Homes Details

    Church Road Site

    This site will have one four-bedroom house, three three-bedroom houses, and one two-bedroom house. The homes will be designed to look like a traditional farmhouse and converted barns, set back from the road with green spaces and wildflower areas.

    Sheringham Road Site

    This site will feature four two-bedroom bungalows and one one-bedroom bungalow, arranged to resemble a converted farmyard.

    To view the Site Models and further details visit West Beckham – Broadland Housing Association (broadlandgroup.org)

    High Environmental Standards

    All the homes will be built with:

    • Air source heat pumps
    • Photovoltaic panels
    • Electric charging points

    Collaborative Effort

    This project is a partnership between Broadland Housing Association, North Norfolk District Council, and Homes England. It is part of a larger initiative to provide affordable housing across North Norfolk.

    Community Support

    Michael Newey, Chief Executive of BHA, emphasised the need for affordable housing in local communities, saying:

    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 kinds of homes.

    Cllr Wendy Fredericks, Deputy Leader of North Norfolk District Council, expressed her excitement:

    I am beyond delighted that we are able to break the ground today on these two amazing high-quality affordable housing schemes in West Beckham.

    Cllr Callum Ringer, the North Norfolk district councillor for West Beckham, added:

    I am delighted that we were able to create homes for ten local families in our village, and so glad that people who were brought up here will have a chance to return.

    Construction Timeline

    The homes on Church Road are expected to be completed by Spring 2025, and those by Sheringham Road by Summer 2025. Priority for these homes will be given to people connected to West Beckham and nearby villages.

    Interested in Applying?

    The homes will be advertised closer to completion. For more information or to apply, please visit www.north-norfolk.gov.uk

    Great Yarmouth Borough Council signs new Strategic Partnership

    Great Yarmouth Borough Council (GYBC) is set to deliver improvements by signing new partnership with two leading housing associations.

    Over the next five years, GYBC, along with Broadland Housing Association and Orwell Housing Association, will be coming together to help fulfil the council’s vision of continued regeneration in the borough. This will be by increasing the number of new homes and the speed at which they can be built.

    The Conge, Great Yarmouth

    The first project the organisations will work on is a plan for 82 new homes at The Conge in Great Yarmouth.

    The demolition work on the south side of The Conge is already finished, and thanks to extra support from the Government’s Future High Streets Fund and the OPE Brownfield Land Release Fund, the first phase of the project is getting underway.

    Carl Smith, leader of Great Yarmouth Borough Council, said:

    We are delighted to be working with Broadland and Orwell. We are determined to deliver new, high-quality homes for our residents because we know there is increasing demand. By working in partnership with two such experienced and expert organisations we will be able to ensure regeneration takes place at a pace we simply wouldn’t deliver on our own.

    The Conge is such a vital link from the railway station to the town centre and a major new housing development at the site clearly demonstrates our ambition for the future of our borough.
    Carl Smith, Great Yarmouth Borough Council

    In a joint statement, Andrew Savage, Broadland’s Executive Director of 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. The strategic partnership with Great Yarmouth Council is an exciting opportunity to work in collaboration over the coming years to support delivery of new homes across the Borough.

    Orwell and Broadland 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 transform a brownfield site into high-quality, well-designed and attractive housing which will provide much-needed affordable accommodation in the town centre.

    Alongside other improvements happening in the town centre, like The Place and the new market, the work at The Conge will create a link from the railway station to these new developments.

    Public Consultation

    Starting on Monday 15th April, there is the chance for the public to have their say on the plans for The Conge. You can find out about the proposals at The Atrium of the Town Hall in Great Yarmouth on Wednesday 17th April between 11am – 4pm. Depending upon planning approval, construction on the first 32 homes could start next year.

    Before the submission of the planning application for the first phase of homes, people are invited to view and comment on the proposals at https://www.ingletonwood.co.uk/the-conge-consultation.php.

    Broadland Housing AGM 2023: Maintaining Our Focus

    Celebrating 60 years of service, Broadland Housing Association continues its unwavering commitment to addressing housing needs and homelessness. In the face of significant financial challenges, the Annual General Meeting (AGM) emphasised the dedication to Broadland’s mission.

    AGM - Broadland Housing

    Michael Newey, Chief Executive of Broadland Housing Association, pledged that the organisation would maintain its focus, despite the cost-of-living crisis and interest rates resulting in an unprecedented financial squeeze.

    More people are unable to find affordable homes in the private sector than when we started, while our tenants are facing unparalleled economic pressures, with food inflation at a 42 year high, and energy costs still at very high levels.
    Michael Newey, Chief Executive

    Meeting Housing Demand

    Michael Newey - AGM 2023

    During the past financial year, Broadland Housing successfully delivered 131 new homes, compromising 55 for affordable rent and 76 for shared ownership.

    Mr. Newey pointed out that the organisation’s ongoing struggle to balance managing existing homes, delivering quality services, and building new homes to meet growing housing demand, while ensuring sustainability.

    He also emphasised the pressing housing need, revealing that 18,710 households in Norfolk and East Suffolk are on the waiting list for housing. Nationally, the availability of homes for rent has decreased by 1.1 million since 1979, with affordable homes in the overall housing stock declining from 31% to just 17% during the same period.

    Optimism Amidst Challenges

    Despite these challenges, Mr. Newey remains optimistic about the future.

    We are proud of holding true to our purpose across our first 60 years, and the need for Broadland Housing is just as massive today as it ever was. Despite the frustration of facing our toughest financial year yet, we are optimistic for the future, and we will remain resolutely focussed on our purpose of tackling housing need and homelessness.
    Michael Newey, Chief Executive

    Selected Statistics from the 2022/23 Annual Report

    • 5,561 homes provided
    • 602 homes allocated, including 108 to homeless households
    • 15,557 responsive repairs completed
    • 439 tenants supported in sustaining their tenancies
    • 131 new homes delivered, compromising 55 for affordable rent and 76 for shared ownership

    For more information, you can download the 2022/23 Annual Report from: www.broadlandgroup.org/about-us/governance-documents/annual-reviews.

    Celebrating our 60th Birthday at Shipfield

    We recently celebrated Broadland’s 60th birthday at Shipfield, our housing development scheme in Sprowston, founded in 1963. Tenants joined us in celebration with a barbeque, cake and a speech from our Chief Executive, Michael Newey.

    The event took place on Shipfield’s green, situated in the heart of the scheme, bringing together the community, board members both past and present and our members to celebrate together!  

    It’s completely sensible and right to be here at Shipfield today, because this was our very first scheme. I think it was a statement of intent and ambition building the scheme. It was very much about saying – We’re here. We’re going to provide decent homes at low rents to people in this community.
    Michael Newey, Chief Executive

    60 Years of Broadland

    Broadland was founded in 1963 with a clear goal: to offer affordable housing to those who couldn’t afford homes in the open market, whether renting or owning. Despite challenges, including a shortage of social housing, we’ve continued to grow. 

    We continually rise to the challenge of the development of new homes and tackling the needs for permanent accommodation. 

    The need is still acute; there will be 271,000 people staying in temporary accommodation tonight; 130,000 of those are children. Despite our best efforts, today the social housing sector is 1.1 million homes smaller than it was in 1979.” 
     
    When I joined 20 years ago, we had 3,464 homes. Today we have 5,634 – so we have grown on average by 110 homes a year over the last two decades.

    Michael addressed the current financial climate with an optimistic outlook. 

    It would be wrong not to acknowledge that we are in tough times right now; our 60th birthday is marked by financial pressure. But I am really optimistic for the future. We have a track record of making tough but right decisions so we can safeguard our tenants’ homes and also tackle the housing need in the county.
    Michael Newey, Chief Executive

    Employee Recognition

    Over the last 60 years, we wouldn’t be where we are without our employees.

    Broadland – I see as very much a people business. People are how we got here. Yes, we have delivered bricks and mortar, but it is actually people that delivered that. 
     
    The commitment of board members, of residents, of staff over the last 60 years is the reason we are here today – I very much see it as a relay race, passing the baton on from one generation to another. None of us are owners of Broadland, we are custodians of Broadland.

    As a result, Broadland is home to many longstanding employees dedicated to helping our tenants and housing schemes. 

    We are very fortunate to have a very dedicated team – We’ve still got remarkably low turnover in staff. I think what holds people here is the commitment to our tenants and commitment to each other.
    Michael Newey, Chief Executive

    Shipfield
    Shipfield

    Anniversary Milestone

    Our 60th anniversary is a milestone, not a destination. We’re excited about the future and will stay committed to our mission of addressing housing needs. 

    We are looking forward to the future. Our priorities will stay completely true to our original purpose of tackling housing need and inequality, getting closer to our tenants, staying independent, and maintaining our geographical focus.
    Michael Newey, Chief Executive

    Events like this celebration allow our tenants to meet and speak with the people of Broadland. Connecting with our communities and celebrating our achievements is incredibly important as we continue to deliver Broadland’s mission. 

    Shipfield

    Good progress on net zero homes at Northrepps

    Inspecting progress on net zero operational carbon homes at Northrepps, Norfolk

    Good progress on net zero homes at Northrepps

    Building work on our 19 new net zero-operational carbon homes at Northrepps is progressing well. Construction started earlier this year.

    Inspecting progress on net zero operational carbon homes at Northrepps, Norfolk
    From left to right: Jenny Watson (new board member); Councillor Angie Fitch-Tillett (NNDC), Gavin Smith (Northrepps Parish Council); Councillor Wendy Fredricks, Deputy Leader, NNDC; Chief Executive Michael Newey; Executive Development Director Andrew Savage

    The new homes, off Broadgate Close in Northrepps village, have a range of features designed to maximise energy-efficiency and minimise the demand for energy.  They are the first net zero-operational carbon homes that Broadland has built.

    Eight of the homes are for affordable rent and two for shared ownership. The remaining nine homes are being developed by Broadland St Benedicts for open market sale, and the proceeds will help to subsidise the affordable homes.

    Michael Newey, Chief Executive (second from right in large picture), and Councillor Wendy Fredericks (third from right), portfolio holder for Housing and Peoples’ Services at North Norfolk District Council, toured the site with other housing officials to see how construction was progressing.

    Energy-saving features

    The new homes will feature an enhanced insulated timber frame, triple-glazed windows, air source heat pumps, air tightness with mechanical ventilation, and heat recovery to minimise energy demand.

    Photovoltaic solar panels on the homes’ roofs are predicted to generate sufficient electricity over the course of the year to off-set the estimated electricity usage for the average occupancy of each property.

    The project has brought together a range of local experts to deliver on Broadland Housing’s commitment to low carbon impact construction. 

    We are delighted to see how these new homes are progressing and to be able to demonstrate the first outlines of this new scheme with its eco technology.

    The technology we are installing here will make these homes fuel efficient and reduce the energy bills for the new tenants as well as fulfilling our ambitions set out in our corporate strategy to reduce the environmental impact of the new homes we build.”

    Michael Newey, Chief Executive

    North Norfolk District Council welcomes the Broadland Housing Association scheme in Broadgate Close, Northrepps.  We have been supporting the scheme through the whole process working with Broadland Housing Association to build these badly needed homes in our District.

    These new eco homes are incredibly important and will help residents reduce costs in the current climate.

    Councillor Wendy Fredericks, North Norfolk District Council

    The homes were designed by architects Ingleton Wood and are being built by Norwich-based contractor Smith of Honingham.

    The scheme is due for completion in spring 2024.

    Accessibility by WAH