New homes under way as part of #Harlow estate regeneration @homegroup

08 Aug New homes under way as part of #Harlow estate regeneration @homegroup

Construction is now under way on the first phase of creating new homes at The Briars, Copshall Close and Aylets Field (BCA) estate in Harlow, Essex, the beginning of the transformation of three estates to improve the quality of housing and employment growth in the town.

The £71 million scheme will deliver 343 homes in total, including around 200 affordable homes, with a mix of apartments, terraced, semi-detached and detached homes. Of these, 103 homes will be built in the first phase, with 53 affordable homes for rent or shared ownership.

Green spaces, new landscaping, roads, parking, improved cycle and pedestrian routes and a new community centre, as well as training opportunities for local people, will be created as part of the development.

The development is a partnership between home builder Countryside, affordable housing provider Home Group and Harlow Council.  Affordable rental and shared ownership properties will be managed by Home Group. The new development will replace outdated post-war bungalows on The Briars, Copshall Close and Aylets Field (BCA) estates, which did not meet Decent Homes standards. The approved masterplan was designed by award-winning Gardner Stewart Architects.

The regeneration is part of Harlow Council’s Priority Estates Programme and local residents and the residents’ association were involved in the design and development work and in creating a vision and a brief for BCA  regeneration.

Richard Cherry, Chief Executive of Countryside Partnerships division, said: “This is the start of a very exciting chapter in the regeneration of these estates, working in partnership with Home Group and Harlow Council to deliver high quality, well designed homes for local people in an attractive environment.  Countryside has a strong track record in Harlow and has been building homes in the area for nearly sixty years and we are proud to be playing our part in the transformation of the area.”

Brian Ham, Executive Director, Home Group, said: “Home Group has a proven reputation for working with partners to regenerate areas. We’re excited that work has started on site and we’re looking forward to working with Countryside and the Council to provide modern, energy efficient, attractive homes which will improve the area and people’s lives.”

Councillor Tony Durcan, Harlow Council’s Portfolio Holder for Regeneration and Enterprise, said: “I am delighted that construction work to create new homes and a new community has begun. This major regeneration programme, when completed, will meet our promises to residents to provide more and better housing and to regenerate Harlow. Providing new housing opportunities, improving local people’s quality of life and transforming areas like this are all vital to building a better Harlow.”