Orchard Village Regeneration and Development

The Mardyke estate transferred over from Havering Council to Old Ford in August 2007 after 84% of its tenants voted in favour. Old Ford took over the estate in March 2008 and secured planning permission along with nearly £15 million grant support towards the £80 million regeneration project, to take place over five years.

The 1960s estate was originally built to house workers at the Ford Motor Company factory in Dagenham. However, when the factory laid off workers the estate slowly became dilapidated and became notorious for crime. On transfer, most of the housing on the estate was around 30 years old and was a mix of high rise and low rise flats, many of which were outdated bedsits that were in poor repair and did not meet the Decent Homes Standard.

The regeneration has now seen many of the existing properties, including six tower blocks, demolished and replaced with modern, high quality low-rise homes. A total of 555 new homes will be built to re-house existing tenants.

Orchard Village was the name chosen by residents for the newly regenerated neighbourhood. It reflects the area to the north of the estate, which used to be an orchard that provided fruit for the famous Tiptree jam company.

You can find out more information about the development of Orchard Village by visiting the website: www.orchard-village.co.uk

Community Development:

Orchard Village also has a comprehensive Community Development programme which is integral to the regeneration of the local area. The programme works in partnership with a number of local organisations to provide services and opportunities for local residents which enhances their life chances. These services include a Youth Provision Service, accredited IT training, construction training, an apprenticehip programme with Wilmott Dixon (Old Ford's contractors for the development programme) and much more. Please click here for further information.
_______________________________________________________________________________________

Four-phased development programme

The Orchard village regeneration and development programme is structured over four phases:

• Phase One was completed in March 2011 and saw 121 new rental homes built on the estate.
• Phase Two is underway and will see 178 new rental homes built on the estate.
• Phase Three will see the development of shared ownership accommodation on the estate.
• Phase Four will see the development of shared ownership and private accommodation on the estate.

_______________________________________________________________________________________

Phase 1 completion launch event

Hayley Hart was one of the first residents to move into her new home in Orchard Village in Phase One. Hayley, who was an extra in Made in Dagenham and has lived on the Mardyke Estate for 10 years, said: "I used to feel ashamed of where I lived, and very guilty that I was having to bring up my children there. Now, it's like I've won the lottery. I honestly feel like I can actually start enjoying life now."

"My home is absolutely gorgeous and my family is absolutely over the moon. We are just all so happy."

June Morton, managing director of Old Ford Housing Association, said: "This has to be the most exciting time of any regeneration project – seeing residents move into their new homes, and watching them reap the benefits. It's absolutely wonderful to see people like Hayley, whose quality of life has transformed. Of course, work doesn’t stop here and it’s full steam ahead for the rest of the project."

Cllr Michael Armstrong, Cabinet Member for Transformation with special responsibility for Rainham at the London Borough of Havering, said: "This marks an important milestone in the redevelopment of the Orchard Village. While this is just one aspect of the long-term Rainham Compass regeneration programme, it is extremely satisfying to see the real difference the improvements are already making to residents and families in the area."

Paul Newbold, Group Head of Development at Circle, 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’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 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.”
_______________________________________________________________________________________

Photo gallery

Click on the text below to pop open the gallery.

Mardyke estate - prior to the regeneration project
Mardyke Estate prior to the demolition and regeneration project

CGI of proposed Orchard Village regeneration
The architects' CGIs of the Orchard Village development

Resident Mick Fury inspects the site
Long-term Old Ford resident and board member Mick Fury tours the site.

Orchard Village phase one complete
Orchard Village phase one development of townhouses complete

Hayley's family move into their new home
Hayley, her husband and their five children move into a new Orchard Village four-bedroom townhouse.

Orchard Village playground
Enjoying Orchard Village's green space and playground.

Launch day - phase 1 completion
Julie Crissell and her son Ben move into their new home.

Julie Crissell and her son Ben move into their new home.
Ben is an apprentice bricklayer with Old Ford's contractors, Willmott Dixon, and actually helped build their home.

Launch Day - June Morton tours
June Morton, Managing Director of Old Ford, takes a tour of the completed homes.

Communal Garden of Block P
Planting of a fruit tree in the communal garden.

Block B - the last block in Phase One to be completed
Block B is one of four new build separate blocks which surround a central courtyard containing a new play area. The blocks also benefit from underground car parking space.

On site Energy Centre run by Scottish and Southern on our behalf
The centre contains two gas boilers providing residents with heating and hot water. Phase Three will see a Combined Heat and Power (CHP) engine installed. The centre is energy efficient and reduces C02 emissions by localising energy resources.

Art panels on the Energy Centre
Children from a local school helped design the art panels on the energy centre at Orchard Village.

Play area in new development
Phase One saw the development of a new play area developed in the internal courtyard of four new blocks.

Lowen Road prior to the regeneration project
These blocks have now been demolished during the Phase Two demolition.

_______________________________________________________________________________________

Contact us

You can visit the Orchard Village website for more information about the development and regeneration programme:www.orchard-village.co.uk

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

For construction and development queries please contact Ranvir Bairwal, Assitant Regional Development Director, on 020 7447 3044 or email Ranvir.Bairwal@circle.org.uk or contact Dawn Mckenzie, Project Manager, on 020 6447 3261 or email Dawn.Mckenzie@circle.org.uk

For queries relating to the sales and marketing of the properties at Orchard Village please contact Sharon Wynne, Sales and Marketing Manager, by emailing Sharon.Wynne@circle.org.uk

Last modified 25/04/12