Building is underway for 16 affordable homes in Colchester, contributing to the council’s commitment to build 350 new council homes
Colchester Borough Council is moving forward on its commitment to build 350 new, affordable, council-owned homes in the borough to tackle local housing needs.
The council’s ambitious building programme is being delivered in partnership with Colchester Amphora Homes Ltd (CAHL), the council’s commercial housing company, and Colchester Borough Homes (CBH), its affordable housing management organisation.
Amplis Construction was chosen as the building contractor responsible of delivering a total build of four houses and twelve flats across three former garage sites at Hardings Close in Aldham and Buffett Way and Scarfe Way in Colchester.
Managing director of Amplis, Neil Coy, said: “We are delighted to have been awarded these prestigious contracts, delivering high-quality affordable homes for local families.
“Against a backdrop of challenging times for the construction industry, Colchester Borough Council has given a significant vote of confidence with this investment in the local area and with local businesses.”
3,000 people waiting for affordable homes
Construction has commenced at Hardings Close where 15 former garages will make way for two 3-bedroom and two 2-bedroom semi-detached homes with allocated parking at each property, a garden and a shed with bike storage.
With a second contract awarded, Amplis will shortly start the building of six 2-bedroom flats in Buffett Way and six 2-bedroom flats in Scarfe Way, each with communal gardens and parking provision.
Adam Fox, Colchester Borough Council’s portfolio holder for housing, commented: “Every day we witness first-hand the acute need for more affordable homes in the borough, with nearly 3,000 people currently waiting for affordable homes on our local housing needs register.
“That’s why we want to ensure council-owned assets are used in a way that best maximises their benefit to the community.
“Transforming underused garage sites, that increasingly no longer serve the parking needs of residents, into high quality family homes has got to be welcomed.”
The construction of the former garage site development follows the construction in 2015 of new properties at Wivenhoe, Greenstead and Old Heath, which contributed 34 new homes to form part of the larger “New Council Housing Programme.”
Funding for the programme is received through the council’s Housing Revenue Account. This is a ring-fenced account that can only be spent on increasing affordable housing and has not been affected by Covid-19.
Completion is scheduled for March 2021.
