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trust's new homes unveiled
18 July 2006
The first new homes to be built by Bradford West City Housing Trust have been officially opened.
The four-storey Holroyd Court apartments, off Haworth Road, comprises 12 two-bedroom apartments fitted with smart kitchen and bathroom suites. Eight of the homes include balcony spaces including two on the top floor with terraced areas.
The building is fitted with four rooftop solar panels, which will help power communal lighting, a lift and the heating system.
On the ground floor there are community facilities including a learning suite with computer stations, a meeting room and kitchen area.
Outside the apartment block a landscaped garden and paved car parking area has been created.
The £1.2 million pound scheme has been supported by a Housing Corporation grant.
Holroyd Court is part of a joint development with Manningham Housing Association (MHA) who has built nine family homes for rent to complete the regeneration of the site which previously housed hard-to-let bedsits.
The construction has been managed by Firebird Homes, a development partnership between Bradford West City Community Housing Trust – part of Bradford Community Housing Trust Group - and Manningham Housing Association.
The two schemes aim to meet the growing need for new social housing for rent and also help create a vibrant and mixed community in the area.
The Lord Mayor, Councillor Choudhary Rangzeb marked the completion of Holroyd Court by unveiling a plaque naming the main communal room, the Joan Hewitt Suite. Mrs Hewitt is a long standing local community figure and a member of the Haworth Road Residents Association.
He will then tour the building with Ian Simpson, Executive Director of Bradford West City Community Housing Trust. Afterwards MHA Chief Executive, Anil Singh, will show the Lord Mayor around the new houses.
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The apartments are being advertised in Bradford Homehunter - BCHT’s award-winning choice-based lettings scheme. They are aimed at people aged 35 and over and priority is being given to applications from residents living in under occupancy social housing in the area.
Ralph Hewitt, Chair of Bradford West City Community Housing Trust, said: “Having helped lay the foundation stone for the apartment block in December, I have watched it grow into a flagship scheme for the Trust.
“It demonstrates our commitment to build new homes for rent for local people.
“The community facilities are an important feature providing a valuable resource for people in the Haworth Road area.”
Geraldine Howley, BCHT Group Chief Executive said: “The new homes look terrific. It is a good example of how local partnerships are working to create a mix of affordable homes and build cohesive neighbourhoods within the district.
“We are working closely with Manningham Housing Association and other housing partners as part of the Firebird JVC development partnership which will see the construction of nearly 200 affordable homes over the next two years.”
Anil Singh, Chief Executive of Manningham Housing Association said: “This is a high quality joint development and Firebird Homes has delivered a sustainable scheme which is attractive to all sections of Bradford’s diverse communities.
“Our work with BCHT helps build community cohesion and neighbourhoods where people want to live in. One where tenants help each other by building strong bonds of mutual aid and bring a sense of community to the scheme”