Member Article

KHT affordable housing development named one of the UK’s best

A £1.9 million regeneration project at Halewood on Merseyside - developed and built by Knowsley Housing Trust - has been listed in the UK’s top 50 affordable housing developments by a leading industry body.

Knowsley Housing Trust (KHT), part of the First Ark Group, which aims to create a sustainable community for people and businesses in Knowsley, has been recognised by Inside Housing for its work at Penman Crescent. This is the second consecutive year in which a KHT site has featured in the list.

Inside Housing’s top 50 affordable housing developments league table recognises nationwide projects which it deems inspiring, innovative and exciting. The projects featured must benefit communities through sustainable features and employment opportunities, alongside other criterion.

Completed in October 2013, Penman Crescent met these standards through its use of energy efficient measures to lower fuel bills, such as solar PV technology, as well as achieving Secured by Design status and level three on the Code for Sustainable Homes. Residents and tenants were also shown how to use these sustainable features to maximise energy savings.

Wherever possible, a local workforce and supplier network has been used, creating eight apprenticeships, a trainee site manager role and significantly reducing anti-social behaviour in the area - which had previously been an issue.

In total, 23 properties were built at the site, ranging from four, three and two bedroom houses through to two bedroom bungalows, including accommodation that is disability-ready.

Ian Thomson, executive director at KHT, said: “Our appearance in Inside Housing’s top 50 UK affordable developments is fantastic recognition for the quality of the work at Penman Crescent and the much needed investment into homes and employment in Knowsley communities during tough economic times.

“The regeneration of Penman Crescent shows our approach to building great homes to bring transformative change to the people and communities we work in. Now home to 21 families, the development has transformed the lives of the residents.”

KHT has previously been recognised by Inside Housing for its development at Tiverton Close, which featured in the list of the top 50 affordable developments in 2013. The list is compiled by a panel of experts, including planners and executives from the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Simon Malia .