3 March 2010 Orchard Village continues to grow / Planning permission and funding secured for Phase Two of £80m regeneration of Orchard Village

Phase Two of the regeneration will deliver 178 new affordable homes for residents. Circle Anglia, one of the UK’s leading providers of affordable housing, is now working with its contractor partners Willmott Dixon Housing Limited and PRP Architects on the detailed designs of the properties. Phase Two demolition and building is planned to begin early in 2011.

The regeneration of Orchard Village is already well underway. Residents celebrated the beginning of Phase One in November 2009 with the demolition of the first of the tower blocks. The demolition and site clearance work for Phase One is now complete and the foundations for the first new homes have been laid. Phase One will deliver 121 new, quality homes for tenants to move into from the beginning of next year. Ultimately, the six year project will deliver 555 new homes for the local community.

Paul Newbold, Group Head of Development at Circle Anglia, said: “This demonstrates the power of partnerships and we are pleased with the continued support of the Borough and HCA. It is a great example of housing associations joining together with residents, the HCA and a local authority to create a vibrant new community which will enhance Life Chances for generations to come.”

Jonathan Martin, the HCA’s Head of Area for East London commented: “Partnership work between the public and private sectors is key to the success of regeneration. The HCA’s funding of Circle Anglia’s scheme reflects our commitment to reduce the problems caused by poor housing by offering affordable solutions that meet the needs of local residents. We look forward to Orchard Village achieving its full potential through this project. “

Simon Coombes, Project Director from Willmott Dixon Housing Limited, said: “We are delighted to continue our involvement with Circle Anglia and Old Ford Housing Association by extending our current project on Orchard Village with design of the Phase Two works, which will provide a further 178 affordable properties. Our long-term involvement at Orchard Village will allow us to continue our activities in the community, which to date includes many initiatives, one of which is with Newton’s School where pupils have produced artwork for our site hoardings.”

Circle Anglia took over the estate in March 2008, after residents voted for a stock transfer from the London Borough of Havering. Since the transfer the fortunes of the estate have already changed; extensive works have been carried out to existing properties and the estate has been cleaned up. The community has joined together to tackle Anti Social Behaviour and laid the foundation for building a new community that has a sense of pride.

For further information or photography of Orchard Village please contact the press office on phone 0845 234 0824 or email pressoffice@circleanglia.org

03/03/10 14:41