Back to NewsExcited Poole Housing Partnership (PHP) residents are preparing to move in to the town’s newest council homes, after PHP staff helped them ‘downsize’ from properties which no longer met their needs.
The four one-bedroom Oakdale homes, which have been developed by Borough of Poole, PHP and Dorset-based construction firm CG Fry & Son, benefit from several energy-efficiency measures designed to help residents save money and reduce their carbon footprint.
The new flats will enable four people to downsize to smaller homes, helping them manage their finances, as well as releasing larger council homes which are desperately needed by local families.
The residents have been supported by the Transfer Enablement Scheme, which helps people living across Poole downsize to more suitable homes. Since 2014, over 100 households have benefitted from the scheme.
Jane Holloway, PHP Tenancy Support Officer, said: “The residents we’ve helped to move are absolutely thrilled with their new homes. Not only will moving to these properties help ease their financial pressure, and enable them to make a fresh start, but there are now four large homes which can be re-let to families who need them. The Transfer Enablement Scheme has made, and will continue to make, a big difference to residents who need help downsizing across Poole.”
The new homes, which have been completed ahead of schedule, also:
- Meet ‘Code 4’ of the government’s national standard for the construction of new homes, meaning they will be fit for purpose for many years to come and have the most up-to-date energy-efficiency features.
- Have been thoroughly insulated to minimise heat loss and carbon emissions, meaning much lower energy bills.
- Enjoy great outdoor areas, with decking, drying areas and a cycle store.
- Benefit from the innovative Minus 7 heating system, which uses outside heat to warm the homes.
- Feature underfloor heating in each flat.
The site at Dale Close used to be a clothes drying area, but has now been re-developed to provide much-needed new homes.
PHP has worked with the community to minimise the impact of the building works. Local residents were first invited to a consultation event last year to view the plans and feed back on the proposals. Residents were also invited to an exclusive ‘open house’ event to see inside the new homes, meet the project team and tell us about their experiences during the build.
The Mayor of Poole, Cllr Xena Dion, will formally launch the development, and welcome residents to their new homes, on Thursday 13th October 2016 at 1pm.
Cllr Xena Dion, Mayor of Poole, said: “It gives me great pleasure to welcome these residents to their new homes. Some of the modern features of these homes are really fantastic, and the insulation and energy efficiency will make a big difference to people’s energy bills, as well as our town’s carbon footprint. I very much hope the people moving in will enjoy living here and wish them happiness in their new homes.”
Cllr Karen Rampton, Portfolio Holder for Housing and Communities, Borough of Poole, said: “The provision of more affordable housing across Poole is one of the Council’s priorities and the continued development of affordable housing across Poole is extremely important. These properties provide a fantastic opportunity for families to move to homes more suited to their needs while at the same time freeing up additional properties in Poole for families requiring affordable housing. I must also commend officers and contractors for their hard work in completing these properties ahead of schedule.”
Su Spence, PHP Chief Executive, said: “We’re really excited to be able to launch these wonderful new homes, ahead of schedule, and after supporting residents with the moving process. The flats, which are part of a wider programme to bring more affordable housing to Poole, have been built to a high standard, and we hope the residents will be very happy here.”
Mike Pinney, Contracting Director, CG Fry & Son, added: “It’s fantastic to celebrate the completion of this project, a collection of four flats and two houses which have been designed and built using state-of-the-art renewable technology. This is one of several successful projects completed in partnership with PHP, and we look forward to working with them again in the future.”