New homes on track despite Covid 19 pandemic
Havering Council’s Deputy Leader paid a visit on Monday to the Napier and New Plymouth House development to check progress - six months after construction began.
Councillor Robert Benham and Neil Stubbings, Director of Regeneration, inspected works at the site in Rainham which forms part of the ‘12 Estates’ regeneration programme with Joint Venture partners Wates Residential.
Despite the extra challenges caused by the pandemic, the development is progressing well and in line with its plan to create 197 homes for local people.
Businesses in and around the borough have been key to ensuring the project stays on track.
Rainham-based Skyline have supplied three tower cranes, while Essex Services Group, based in Romford, are delivering the complete mechanical, electrical and plumbing services package across the scheme.
In total, from the Napier and New Plymouth House development, 93 percent of spend is anticipated to be with UK suppliers, with local businesses benefitting from £17.5m of contracts.
The wider Joint Venture project, which also includes Waterloo Estate and Queens Street in Romford and Serena, Solar and Sunrise Courts in Hornchurch will see around 3,500 high-quality new homes delivered in Havering over the next 12 to 15 years.
Councillor Robert Benham, Deputy Leader of Havering Council, said:
“This pandemic has affected every aspect of our lives, so I am very impressed to see that the workers on site today.
"Many are local and have been able to adapt to make sure these high-quality new homes are on track for Havering residents.
“It’s great to be able to visit the site and see the progress being made.
"Our 12 Estates project is fundamental to our future, not just in providing high-quality homes but also in supporting the local economy through contracts and jobs.”
Hugh Jeffery, Regional Development Director for Wates Residential, said:
“The construction of Napier and New Plymouth House is on track to provide Rainham with 197 great places to live.
"The team here on site are doing an amazing job to ensure that progress continues in line with our plan and we remain in a position to complete by December 2022.
"We have much to thank our workers for, and their families, who, despite the pandemic, have safely kept the development on schedule.”