Platform Housing Group has started the construction of a social housing development in Worcester.
Social landlord Platform – which has its headquarters in the Midlands – intends to build five new homes in Tolladine, its latest development within Worcester, which will offer “much needed” affordable homes in the area.
The homes – which are due for completion early next summer – will comprise four two-bed houses and one one-bed bungalow for affordable rent.
The £660,000 scheme has been made possible by grant funding through a Homes England funding programme along with monies from the Recycled Capital Grant Fund, which is raised through the sale of increased shared ownership stakes to occupiers.
Simon Vick, Development director (West) at Platform Housing Group, said: “This latest development involves the demolition of 26 existing garages to make way for these much needed new homes.
“Car parking for 8 vehicles will also be included.”
Prior to the development receiving planning permission in January earlier this year, the area was home to an abandoned and run-down former garage that attracted anti-social behaviour.
Simon explained: “This new development will not only improve the area, it will also offer high quality and sustainable affordable homes that meets the needs of local people.
“We very much look forward to completing the project and welcoming residents into their new homes.”
Those involved in the new development include Harper Group Construction, DJD Architects, employers agent AFA, and Homes England.
Michael Harvey, group commercial director of Harper Group Construction, said: “We are delighted to be working in partnership with Platform Housing Group again to bring much needed housing to the area of Tolladine Road.
“With Platform Housing Group’s mission to build a better future through investing in affordable homes, we are looking forward to working with the team to produce a high quality development.”
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Simon concluded: “The new homes will form a high quality and sustainable affordable housing development that meets the needs of local people.
“Ensuring people have access to social housing is of vital importance in today’s world.
“We look forward to completion of the project and welcoming residents into their new homes.”
Platform’s future plans
Platform recently pledged its support for an initiative that aims to increase awareness of different faiths.
The association is encouraging its customers to take part in an online event as part of the UK-wide Inter Faith Week, which takes place from 8 November to 15 November.
Platform says it would like to hear from people within their communities about their stories of friendship and learning from each other – especially during lockdown, including examples of neighbourly help that crossed religious or cultural divides.
Nina Roberts, from Derbyshire and a Platform Housing Group customer, said: “Strong interfaith relations are healthy and good for mutual understanding, trust and respect.
“There are many divisions within our society. We must bring down walls of mistrust – by building strong inter faith relations we can start to do this.”
Tom Piotrowski, Diversity and Inclusion advisor at Platform Housing Group, said: “As a housing association and social landlord, we have a great commitment to our local communities.
“Ensuring that our colleagues and customers have a full understanding of different religions and cultures is vital to the success of our work.
“Better information about religious and cultural backgrounds helps to build greater community cohesion and misspell any myths associated with faith.
“Events such as next month’s Inter Faith Week will help broaden our understanding and ultimately ensure that we provide the very best service we can.”
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Launched in 2009, the event aims to strengthen interfaith relations at all levels; increase awareness of the different and distinct faith communities in the UK, in particular celebrating and building on the contribution their members make to their neighbourhoods and to wider society; and increasing understanding between people of religious and non-religious beliefs.
Each year, Inter Faith Week starts on Remembrance Sunday.
Platform Property Care – a subsidiary of Platform Housing Group – property has also recently teamed up with building management technology company Vericon Systems to trial a new remote boiler monitoring and management system.
Matt Blackburn, Heating Operations Manager at Platform Property Care explained: “This is the first time that Platform Property Care has trailed such technology, and we are looking forward to understanding the benefits for both our customers and our business.”
Benefits of the technology include:
- It is capable of operating with all major boiler brands
- Boilers can be reset remotely and heating flow temperatures can be altered
- The device has the ability to report environmental concerns such as mould and damp
- BCM:Connect can be installed in under 10 mins with an install App guiding the engineer through the commissioning process
Main image: Construction workers on Platform Housing Group’s Tolladine development in Worcester
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