Broadland Housing Group

Homes, community & support since 1963

norwich

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

Canary Quay – Residential Project of the Year award

Our Canary Quay project in Norwich has been named Residential Project of the Year in the Constructing Excellence Norfolk 2023 awards.

Andrew Savage, Executive Development Director, holding the Constructing Excellence Norfolk 2023 award, with members of the project team
Andrew Savage, Executive Development Director (pictured centre, holding award) with members of the Canary project team

The fourth and final phase of Canary Quay was completed earlier this year. A total of 323 apartments have been built on the riverside site in Norwich: a mixture of social rent, shared ownership and open market sales.

The Constructing Excellence Norfolk awards recognise innovation and best practice through collaborative working and supply chain integration. Thanks to our partners on this project RG Carter, Ingleton Wood architects and Rossi Long Consulting for their support.

Andrew Savage, Executive Development Director, said:

We are over the moon that Canary Quay has been recognised in this way, especially as RG Carter built through some unprecedented times. This project has taken 13 years from buying the land from Norwich City Football Club to completing earlier this year. It’s all down to the people we want to work with and we have had a great team.

Andrew Savage, Executive Development Director

Social Housing Decarbonisation Fund success

As a member of Independent East, Broadland will receive funding from Wave 2 of the Government’s Social Housing Decarbonisation Fund (SHDF Wave 2.1) to improve the energy efficiency of its homes.

Independent East, an informal alliance of housing associations based in Norfolk and Suffolk, has secured almost £9 million in funding to boost energy efficiency in hundreds of social housing homes. The funding is being administered through Broadland Housing Association as the consortium lead.

Warm, energy-efficient homes

The funding from Wave 2 of the Government’s Social Housing Decarbonisation Fund (SHDF Wave 2.1) will fund the installation of energy-saving measures in 800 homes, such as loft insulation and new windows. The upgrades will mean properties currently below Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) C will be brought up to that standard, which will help to:

  • deliver warm, energy efficient homes
  • reduce carbon emissions
  • tackle fuel poverty
  • support green jobs
  • develop the retrofit sector
  • improve the comfort, health, and wellbeing of tenants

The value of effective partnerships

We are very proud of the partnership with Independent East members.  This funding shows what an effective partnership can achieve for the benefit of our tenants. This funding will help to improve the energy efficiency of tenants’ homes at a time when fuel bills are at a historic high. We will be focusing on improvements to 5 of our schemes, focusing on upgrading to carbon-friendly heating systems and electricity-generating solar panels, ensuring that the energy performance increases to a minimum of a ‘C’ rating.

Justin O’Connor, Assistant Asset Director, Broadland Housing Association

Funding breakdown

The funding breakdown between the housing associations is as follows:  

7 new homes handed over to tackle homelessness in Norwich

7 new homes handed over to tackle homelessness in Norwich

Broadland Housing and Norwich City Council have built 7 new homes for people formerly sleeping rough on the streets.

The 7 x 1-bedroom homes on Ketts Hill in Norwich were built with funding from the Rough Sleepers Accommodation Programme. This will also pay for support workers to help the residents settle into their new homes and rebuild their lives.

At the handover ceremony, Councillor Gail Harris, Norwich City Council’s cabinet member for social housing, joined Michael Newey, Chief Executive, and representatives from our design and construction partners.

Joint initiative

Broadland has built the homes on land provided by Norwich City Council, which provided capital alongside grant funding from Homes England.

The new homes were built with a timber-frame design for speed of construction and to ensure low embodied carbon.  Each property has its own small front garden. 

Councillor Harris said:

The City Council is committed to breaking the cycle of homelessness, and through our successful collaborative work with partners like Broadland Housing Association, we are finding new and innovative ways to offer targeted support to those who need it.

I’m thrilled to see these new homes handed over, which will provide the accommodation and support needed to help former rough sleepers live independent, happy lives. It is fantastic that each home has its own outdoor space, and I can’t wait to hear how the new residents settle in.

Gail Harris, cabinet member for social housing, Norwich City Council

Michael Newey added:

This site will provide high-quality, affordable housing for those in desperate need of accommodation and support – another development which will transform lives.

This project builds on the continual partnership working between the City Council and Broadland Housing Association in tackling some of the most difficult sites and developments to bring much-needed affordable accommodation to the city.

These homes will once again be built to the high-quality standards we have for all our homes.  These new homes, in the heart of Norwich on a disused piece of land, will ensure that more people leave the streets and can have a home to call their own.

Michael Newey, Chief Executive, Broadland Housing Association

Vital community scheme

Norwich-based property and construction consultancy Ingleton Wood provided architectural and utility design services for the new homes. The builders were H Smith & Sons of Honingham, and the timber frame was manufactured in Norfolk by Timber Frame Management.

Chris Stammers, Director and Architect at Ingleton Wood, said:

Ketts Hill provides immediate support for those in desperate housing need across Norwich and we are proud to have supported this vital community scheme.

Featuring a contemporary take on a traditional terrace, Ketts Hill provides high-quality living accommodation and essential facilities within an attractive setting. The project has been an exemplar of positive multi-agency collaboration.

Derelict Norwich site transformed into homes for social rent

New social rent homes at Mile Cross Norwich

Derelict Norwich site transformed into homes for social rent

We have partnered with Norwich City Council to build 5 eco-friendly new homes on a formerly derelict site in Mile Cross, Norwich. 

New social rent homes at Mile Cross Norwich
New social rent homes at Mile Cross Norwich, built by Broadland Housing Association for Norwich City Council
Bungalow for social rent built by Broadland Housing Association for Norwich City Council, Mile Cross, Norwich
Michael Newey (Broadland Housing Association, Gail Harris (Norwich City Council) and Andrew Savage (Broadland Housing Association) outside the new social rent homes at Mile Cross Norwich

Norwich City Council bought the site of the former King’s Arms public house in 2020 to build social housing, using a compulsory purchase order. The site had been left to stand derelict for years by its previous owner.   

1 x 2-bedroom bungalow, 1 x 5-bedroom house and 3 x 4-bedroom houses have been built on the land. The homes have been let by Norwich City Council through its housing register, providing the types of homes most needed by applicants. Each of the families has been able to move away from homes that were no longer suitable for them, making these properties available for new tenants.  

Eco-design reduces energy costs

The homes are designed to save tenants money on heating and hot water. They have extra insulation and low-carbon features, including air source heat pumps, triple glazing and solar panels. Each property also has an electric vehicle charging point. They have been thoughtfully designed to complement the established residential area.  

To make access to the development possible, the city council also acquired the house next door to the site. This was a former council home sold under the government’s Right to Buy scheme. It is now back in the city’s social housing stock.  

Creative solution to meet demand for affordable housing

Councillor Gail Harris, Norwich City Council’s cabinet member for social housing (pictured above, second right), visited the site this week to welcome the 5 new households:  

Turning this deserted plot into much-needed social homes is a fantastic outcome for the city.  

It has been wonderful to meet some of the new residents already getting settled just in time for Christmas.  

Purchasing the King’s Arms site to benefit the community is an example of how we are being creative to address the demand for affordable housing in the city.

Councillor Gail Harris, Norwich City Council’s cabinet member for social housing

Mark, who has moved into the bungalow on the site, said:

It’s a lovely home, it couldn’t be better. We have downsized from a 3-bedroom house in Norwich and no longer need to worry about the stairs. 

Sam, another new resident who has moved from within Mile Cross, said:

We are really pleased to have moved in before Christmas and have already met lots of neighbours.  

This new home gives our family more space, and staying in the area has meant we haven’t had to change anything else.

Broadland Housing managed the project for the council and the homes were built by Smith of Honingham.  

We are delighted to work in partnership with Norwich City Council once again, this time as their Development Agent. Norwich City have taken a site which has been disused for many years and turned it into beautiful new homes in our city. We continue to be proud of our partnership with the council. It shows just what can be done with thoughtful insight and imagination.

Andrew Savage, Executive Development Director, Broadland Housing Association (pictured above, right)

Our partnership with Norwich City Council, has been fruitful over the years, with many new homes provided for the people of Norwich. As homeless numbers continue to raise, and many families in our city struggling to find good quality, well-maintained properties, these new homes are needed now more than ever.

Michael Newey, Chief Executive, Broadland Housing Association (pictured above, left)
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