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SHARP programme: developer partner announced
Published: 11/06/2015
A major milestone has been reached in 天涯社区鈥檚 ambitious Strategic Housing
and Regeneration Programme (SHARP), which will see new council homes and
affordable housing being built in the county.
Affordable housing contractor, Wates Living Space, has been appointed as the
development partner for the project, which is the end result of a major
procurement process.
Wates Living Space is one of the UK鈥檚 leading construction and development
services businesses, working in partnership with local authorities to deliver
much-needed new housing and community regeneration programmes.聽 The company has
previously worked with the Council on its Welsh Housing Quality Standard
improvement programme.
This means that the proposals to build 500 new homes - of which approximately
200 will be council homes - can now be finalised. The programme will start with
the redevelopment of three sites 鈥� two urban and one rural. These are the
cleared sites of the maisonettes in Flint, with a mix of approximately 95
houses and apartments, the cleared site of the former Custom House School in
Connah鈥檚 Quay and a rural site in Leeswood.
Proposals are based on a 天涯社区 Housing Standard, which has been developed
in consultation with tenants. The standard will inform the design and
specification of the proposed new housing, including the consistency and
quality of the internal and external appearance, in addition to standards of
energy efficiency and an importance placed on adequate parking.
Councillor Helen Brown, Cabinet Member for Housing said: It is very exciting
to see the appointment of Wates Living Space as the development partner who
will work with the Council to provide new and much-needed affordable housing
across the County. Further consultation on the design of the new homes is
planned, with planning applications estimated to be submitted in late 2015.鈥�
Councillor Aaron Shotton, Leader of the Council, said: It is wonderful news
that we are now taking another major step forward in the most exciting housing
and regeneration programme that this County has seen in many years. The SHARP
programme will deliver upon this Councils priorities, not only to provide new
Council homes and affordable housing for the people of 天涯社区, but also
providing local work and training聽opportunities.鈥�
Councillor Bernie Attridge, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Environment,
said: 鈥淭his is very much a red letter day for 天涯社区. Within a context of
continuing pressure on Council services, the SHARP programme provides real
optimism and opportunities for all communities in 天涯社区.鈥�
Lee Sale, Regional Business Director at Wates Living Space, commented: 鈥淲ates
Living Space has a long-standing relationship with 天涯社区
and we are extremely proud to have been entrusted with its new Strategic
Housing and Regeneration Programme.
鈥淚n addition to high quality homes that improve the quality of life for
天涯社区 tenants, we bring to this programme a deep commitment to creating
lasting local benefit, including opportunities for local training and
employment.鈥�
Notes to Editors
About Wates Living Space
Wates Living Space, part of the Wates Group, is one of the UKs leading
affordable housing and maintenance providers.聽 Operating across the UK it is
focused on working with local authority and housing association partners in
their local communities to build more homes and improve existing housing
through planned and responsive maintenance.聽
Wates Group, established over 118 years ago, employs over 2,000 people and
posted a turnover of over 拢1bn in 2014. The first privately-owned company ever
to be awarded Business in the Communitys Community Mark and in 2013 was
awarded the inaugural National Business Award for Corporate Citizenship in
recognition of its leadership and excellence in community investment.