THE first phase of a wide-ranging programme to create hundreds of new affordable rental homes for families across Leicester has been completed.
Contractors the Woodhead Group officially handed over ownership of the housing development at Felstead Road, in the city’s Abbey Ward, this week.
The scheme, consisting of 12 new family homes in six semi-detached pairs, is the largest individual housing project in this first phase of house building by Leicester City Council, which has seen 29 new homes completed at six sites across the city.
All the other sites are already now occupied by tenants. They include two semi-detached houses and one detached house at Ambassador Road, in Rowlatts Hill; a detached house and a wheelchair-accessible bungalow at Brocklesby Way, Netherhall; two new bungalows at nearby Maplin Road; five detached bungalows at Rosshill Crescent, Thurnby Lodge, one of which is wheelchair accessible, and five new homes including two pairs of semi-detached houses and one detached house at Selby Avenue, Netherhall.
Phase two of the house building programme is due to get underway this summer, following the completion of enabling works at the site of the former Saffron Lane velodrome, with work due to start on 38 new family homes.
A further 18 homes are proposed at sites including Rockingham Close in Rowlatts Hill, Hydra Walk in St Peters, Whitteney Drive in Eyres Monsell and Austin Rise in Netherhall.
Over the coming years the programme is expected to create hundreds of new affordable homes.
Leicester assistant city mayor for housing, Cllr Elly Cutkelvin, said: “There is a huge demand for affordable housing in the city, so it is fantastic to see this first phase of building completed and these much-needed homes being occupied.
“This house-building project has given us the chance to take a lead role in creating family homes that meet Leicester's housing needs, as well as investing in neighbourhoods across the city.
“We still have a very significant level of housing need in the city, but creating these new homes will increase the council’s housing stock which has been depleted over the decades through policies such as the Government’s right to buy scheme, and bring us a step closer to being able to meet modern housing needs.”
Woodhead Group business services director, Tom Woodhead, added: “It has been a pleasure to be part of yet another successful partnership with Leicester City Council, building much needed affordable homes in Leicester.
“It is a major credit to the site team overcoming various challenges, as the new homes were built within an existing residential area. We look forward to many more projects in collaboration with the council as we continue to support the investment going into the communities across the city.”
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