Leicester MP praises new affordable homes partnership

MP for Leicester West, Liz Kendall, recently visited the site of a new affordable housing development to view the progress of a partnership development that will result in 28 new affordable homes for local people.

The new £3.5million scheme at Crawford Close in the New Parks area of Leicester is being built by Whetstone-based Westleigh Partnership Homes for emh group, and will provide a range of high quality new homes for different types of households.

Being built on a former 1930’s allotment site which is now derelict, the new homes are a result of funding from the Homes and Communities Agency (HCA), as well as private investment from emh group, Leicester City Council and Westleigh Developments.

Addressing the need for more affordable housing in the area, the new homes will be allocated to local people and will consist of four one bedroom houses, 11 two bedroom houses, eight three bedroom houses and four one bedroom apartments. Set to be complete by spring 2014, all 28 homes will be built to Code for Sustainable Homes Level 3 using Westleigh’s Westframe timber frame system, meaning each property is economic and energy efficient.

Liz Kendall MP, an active campaigner for new affordable housing in Leicester, comments, ““Week in, week out, I meet constituents at my regular advice surgeries who are at the sharp end of a national housing shortage – families living in overcrowded, insecure or unsuitable properties. That’s why I campaign so vigorously for more affordable housing in Leicester West and it’s why I fully support developments like that on Crawford Close.”

Ian Jones, Business Development Director at Westleigh, comments: “Crawford Close is set to not only provide much-needed affordable housing for local people, but also regenerate a site that has remained derelict and misused for many years.

“We are proud to be a part of such an important partnership scheme, and as well as Crawford Close, Westleigh Partnership Homes have also started work on two other Leicester sites at the former velodrome site on Saffron Lane and at Erskine Street in the city centre. These affordable schemes will result in a total of 98 new homes being built within the next 12 months across the city, providing a mix of property styles including apartments, bungalows and family houses.”

Chan Kataria, Group Chief Executive for emh group, comments: “I am delighted we are building new homes in Leicester. We are in the middle of a major housing crisis in this country. There simply aren’t enough homes available at an affordable price. Every house we build gives another ordinary person or family access to a decent home at a price they can afford.”

Councillor Andy Connelly, Leicester’s assistant city mayor for housing, said: “This development is part of our commitment to build more than 180 affordable homes in the city within the next three years. I’m really pleased to see our partnership work in action at Crawfod Close and at other affordable housing sites across the city.”