Council estates set for £10m makeover and £150m to build more affordable homes for local people

The plans were approved by Havering Council's Cabinet at a meeting last night (Wednesday 13 February 2019). 

The extra money will be spent on enhancing our estate buildings and communal areas.

We will be looking at ways to create an environment that our residents can be proud of and want to spend time in. 

The programme of works could include improvements to communal areas by upgrading and installing new fencing, improving landscaping, with upgrades to paths and walkways, and better external and communal lighting that will make our residents feel safer.

Where necessary, internal communal areas will be redecorated, along with upgrades to door entry systems and the cleaning and repainting of some building exteriors, to keep our estates fit for the long-term.

Councillor Joshua Chapman, Cabinet Member for Housing, said: 

“Alongside our ongoing programme of works to renovate the insides of council homes, we are spending this extra £10 million to ensure our tenants are offered the highest quality accommodation.

“With our ambitious regeneration plans, we will deliver more genuinely affordable homes for local people. 

“The estates improvement programme will focus on the estates not earmarked for wider regeneration, bringing our current accommodation up to par. 

“We want to make sure our existing tenants live in a place they feel safe, happy, and proud to call home.” 

The announcement comes alongside the Council’s commitment to build more affordable homes and increase social housing in the borough.

£150 million has been set aside as part of the Council’s regeneration plans. 

This includes: 

• 12 Estates: Havering Council and joint venture partner Wates Residential have begun work on a project to build around 3,000 high quality homes for local people across 12 of Havering Council’s estates. As part of the project, the Council is investing in education, training and skills in support of their commitment to deliver a borough-wide legacy.
• Rainham and Beam Park: Joint venture project with Notting Hill Genesis will deliver over 1,000 homes, transform the A1306 into a new green space and improve transport links in the south of the borough.
• Bridge Close: Along with the Council’s joint venture partner First Base and Savills, the Council will regenerate an industrial area in Romford with affordable homes, a new school and health centre. The project also includes a new pedestrian bridge with direct access to Romford station and the regeneration of a stretch of the River Rom.
• Romford Masterplan: The Council is talking to residents and businesses about what they think of Romford town centre now, what they would like to change, and what they think would make it even better. 

Councillor Damian White, Leader of Havering Council, said: 

“This investment enables us to build more affordable homes for local people. It will allow us to make our town centres even greater, supporting the local high street. It will help bring new investment and business to the borough, boosting our local economy. It will enable us to improve our transport infrastructure making travelling within the borough even easier. 

“Whether you live in a council home, rent privately, or own your home, we understand people deserve to live in a place that they love. Havering is a special place and this investment will help us make it even more special.”