Legacy of Labour is the cash to build real family homes in Southampton (From Daily Echo)
When news happens, text SDE and your photos or videos to 80360. Or contact us by email and phone.
Legacy of Labour is the cash to build real family homes in Southampton
10:30am Friday 30th July 2010 in
-
- By Matt Smith » Politics and business reporter
THE first bricks are being laid for the first new council homes in Southampton for over 15 years.
Some 53 new energy efficient council homes will be built in the city thanks to £3.3m of Government funding, matched by the City Council.
The first four three bedroom houses are being built at Flamborough Close in Millbrook.
The homes are being built on disused land and underused garage sites across the city.
Over the next year 33 new homes will go up in Borrowdale Road, Pennine Way/Chiltern Green, and Flamborough Close in Millbrook; Keynsham Road, Bitterne, Orpen Road, Sholing and Grateley Close, Weston.
A further 20 houses and flats will then be built in Cumbrian Way, Millbrook and Leaside Way, Swaythling.
Tory Councillor Peter Baillie, the city’s new housing boss, said: “We have listened to what our residents want and this is why we are building a high proportion of family houses with gardens and all are built to very high energy efficiency standards – which will save tenants money on their heating bills.”
The Government’s Homes and Communities Agency provided funding for the new homes through the Local Authority New Build programme set up by Itchen MP John Denham’s former department.
HCA south east director David Edwards said: “I’m delighted to see work start on the first new council homes in Southampton for 15 years.
“Our partners have worked extremely hard to deliver the next generation of council homes for the city, with energy efficient technology, and have listened closely to the community that they serve.”
Southampton City Council is struggling with 13,887 people on its housing waiting list and needs to build 1,000 more affordable homes a year to keep pace with growing demand, stoked by high house prices and a rising population.
The council has a stock of 17,025 houses, mostly flats.
After the Tory Government of the 1980s allowed tenants to buy their own homes under the right to buy the city lost around 10,000 council houses.
Rules that have prevented the council from borrowing against its housing stock have largely left social housebuilding to housing associations through the Government funded Housing Corporation.
The new homes in Southampton are being built by Drew Smith. They will be managed by the Radian housing association.
Comments(17)
Ted Rogers
says...
10:59am Fri 30 Jul 10
There is a huge demograpghic of people/families that cannot afford to either buy a home or pay inflated private rental rates, but could afford more than a highly subsidised council funded rent. There lies the opportunity for the council to build appropriate housing and earn profit through rental. That's the type of housing policy the council should concentrate on, which would have the greatest impact for the people of Southampton.
Fur Q
says...
11:16am Fri 30 Jul 10
Ted Rogers wrote:for once, i agree totally
Good but not enough. Statistics are that Southampton need to build 1000 homes, are we really going to see an impact with these 33? There is a huge demograpghic of people/families that cannot afford to either buy a home or pay inflated private rental rates, but could afford more than a highly subsidised council funded rent. There lies the opportunity for the council to build appropriate housing and earn profit through rental. That's the type of housing policy the council should concentrate on, which would have the greatest impact for the people of Southampton.
non sailor, lymington
says...
11:24am Fri 30 Jul 10
G0Rf wrote:I think its because Radian will not accept people/families that are claiming benefits, unlike the council who are obliged to.
why are Radian housing association looking after them if they are council?
KA
says...
12:30pm Fri 30 Jul 10
Tommy News
says...
12:38pm Fri 30 Jul 10
KA
says...
1:21pm Fri 30 Jul 10
Tommy News wrote:so... everyone who rents are wasters on benefit??
It annoys me that they are legally obliged to build them to a higher specification than the private sector. So if you are no good waster on benefits you can have a decent home, otherwise the rest of us work long hours paying a mortgage for 30+ years for a smaller low standard home. Good to see IDS taking steps to tackle the benefit culture.
RadicalEmu
says...
1:22pm Fri 30 Jul 10
Tommy News wrote:You could fly a baloon with all that hot air!
It annoys me that they are legally obliged to build them to a higher specification than the private sector. So if you are no good waster on benefits you can have a decent home, otherwise the rest of us work long hours paying a mortgage for 30+ years for a smaller low standard home. Good to see IDS taking steps to tackle the benefit culture.
.
Not everyone in a council house is on benefits.
.
Not everyone on benefits is a scrounger.
.
Back on topic: Are they truly council houses if they're being managed by a non-council entity? Seems odd to me.
Condor Man
says...
1:58pm Fri 30 Jul 10
saintslou
says...
2:08pm Fri 30 Jul 10
security word: vast-tiny
snorkel
says...
6:06pm Fri 30 Jul 10
If the homes are not kept clean and tidy, remove the occupants and give someone else a chance who will be more grateful.
geoff51
says...
9:48pm Fri 30 Jul 10
geoff51
says...
9:51pm Fri 30 Jul 10
KA wrote:So the Chavs can breed to fill them?
They should be building four and five bedroom houses..
IanRRR
says...
12:52am Sat 31 Jul 10
If 10000 homes were sold off, presumably they still house 10000 families? Whether the original buyers have sold them on or not, is not relevant, because if they had not been allowed to buy them, they would still be council tenants, except for the few that may have died? So whether they were sold off or not, there would still be 13887 on the waiting list or thereabouts? Its just the demand that has increased, and the Councils have not kept up with it? Simples!
Brite Spark
says...
1:28am Sat 31 Jul 10
"Ere Britney - the council are knocking up some nice places in Cumbrian Way, do yourself a favour, drop yer 'omework and get yourself a sprog, then we can all move in together!"
I hope that these homes go to those who have earned them, and worked hard for a few years, but I wont be holding my breath.
Jparcoeur
says...
4:18pm Mon 2 Aug 10
fatwombat
says...
11:34pm Tue 10 Aug 10
More News stories
- Motorists face traffic chaos
- Neighbours forced family out of home
- Miliband launches Labour local election campaign in Southampton
- Move to reopen former rail line
- Unsung stars of the city’s hospital wards honoured in prestigious ceremony
- Glimmer of hope for future of pub
- Women warned not to walk alone after teen is raped
- Final curtain for man who saved theatre
- Health secretary backs controversial implants for school girls
- Nursery in biomass power station plan
Property officer Keith Gunner, left, and new cabinet member for housing Cllr Peter Baillie.
Most popular
Local Information
Enter your postcode, town or place name
G0Rf says...
10:35am Fri 30 Jul 10