£48M investment bucks homes trend (From Swindon Advertiser)
Get involved! Send photos, video, news & views. Text SWINDON NEWS to 80360 or email us
£48M investment bucks homes trend
7:00pm Monday 26th January 2009 in News
A COMPANY is investing £48m in Swindon to bring much-needed new homes to the area in the midst of the current recession and housing crisis.
Sovereign Housing Group will plough the money into a new development, which will see 400 new homes built.
The group predicts the investment will take significant pressure off Swindon Council’s housing register, which has a waiting list of more than 7,600 people.
“With more than 200 repossessions in Swindon during the last quarter, the pressure on housing waiting lists is steadily increasing,” said development director Phil Stephens.
“These new homes will help to alleviate this added pressure by providing much needed homes for those who are currently on Swindon Council’s Housing Register.”
Mr Stephens said the new homes would be important to first-time buyers looking to get on the property ladder.
We welcome any investment in Swindon, especially during these difficult financial times
Coun David Renard
“This is also a fantastic opportunity for first time buyers from all walks of life to get their foot on the property ladder through our part buy part rent scheme,” he said.
“The scheme allows the purchaser to buy a percentage of the property while paying a discounted rent on the remainder, and they can gradually purchase the rest of the property when they can afford it.”
As part of the investment programme SHG has invested £33m at East Wichel on the Front Garden.
This project will deliver 230 new affordable homes in three phases over the next few years.
SHG has also committed £9m at Balmoral Park, The Oaks and Madison Walk, in Priory Vale, to buy 59 new homes from private developer Bovis Homes.
These homes will now be made available for affordable housing.
The company also says there has been significant investment in developing affordable housing at Burleigh Close, in Priory Vale, and Brendon Walk and Radstock Avenue, in Dorcan.
A total of £5.6m has been invested in developing the properties.
Coun David Renard, the cabinet member for health, housing and adult social care, said: “We welcome any investment in Swindon, especially during these difficult financial times.
“It just goes to show companies are still willing to invest here.
“It could help reduce the council’s waiting list, which would be very positive – so it is very good news to anyone on the list.”
Comments(19)
Big Mac
says...
7:36pm Mon 26 Jan 09
While I've no doubt they're needed, another huge council estate isn't going to move Swindon forward - at all.
Geoff Reid
says...
8:05pm Mon 26 Jan 09
"“It just goes to show companies are still willing to invest here"
Or do Sovereign Housing also happen to be the councils 'preferred partner/buyer' in the proposed sell off of the Borough's housing stock?
Just asking the question....
itsamess
says...
8:48pm Mon 26 Jan 09
Majorie Poops
says...
9:22pm Mon 26 Jan 09
So that's Priory Vale up the duff then.
30% straight off their value when the snobs realise that council tennent's (equivalent of = affordable homes) are moving in.
Best get the anti-grafitti paint ready for the street 'furniture'.
The working class don't rise up to the challenge of integration when moved into a nice housing estate - they don't know how to or want to - they just bring it down.
Forget the idea and let people who have moved on and up, have peace.
I Too
says...
11:08pm Mon 26 Jan 09
There is no way this housing development is going ahead, for the sake of homeless people.
Few, if any of these homes will be tennent properties.
Mr Renard suggested that the Coate development was intended to house all the homeless as well. Imagine that.
We didn't all come down in the last shower.
Some of us don't even sit on fences, sucking straw.
Get them back-handers ready.
flicky
says...
9:14am Tue 27 Jan 09
itsamess
says...
9:53am Tue 27 Jan 09
BWB
says...
10:14am Tue 27 Jan 09
I Too, Swindon says...
Some of us don't even sit on fences, sucking straw.
Get them back-handers ready.
You are right.I wonder which Councillor will get the FREE Holiday
or have his driveway reserfaced free.
or even the new extention on his
property.?
Many years ago tenders were sent to
me. It was never anything to do
with how High or Low the tender was
You rubber stamped the one who you
thought would comply with your
request..nudge-nudge
,..wink..wink.
IRofE
says...
10:46am Tue 27 Jan 09
Swindon regeneration at its best indeed.
flicky
says...
1:11pm Tue 27 Jan 09
itsamess wrote:I WAS agreeing with you all!
Facts speak louder than words flicky--as the noble lord was heard on tape saying-RULES CAN BE BENT--we call it corrupt
itsamess
says...
6:02pm Tue 27 Jan 09
Loveall
says...
7:42pm Tue 27 Jan 09
BWB wrote:BWB - you and your like are the reason that Swindon is having problems.Corrupt little people who have visions of grandeur. Not there to do the best job they can , there just to see what they can get.
I Too, Swindon says...
Some of us don't even sit on fences, sucking straw.
Get them back-handers ready.
You are right.I wonder which Councillor will get the FREE Holiday
or have his driveway reserfaced free.
or even the new extention on his
property.?
Many years ago tenders were sent to
me. It was never anything to do
with how High or Low the tender was
You rubber stamped the one who you
thought would comply with your
request..nudge-nudge
,..wink..wink.
I Too
says...
10:09pm Tue 27 Jan 09
I think you need to read the post again Loveall.
Were we not criticising the very same alleged corruptions?
You are right of course. The town will never amount to anything, until the heritage / pride of the town is embraced (and I don't mean a tacky T shirt campaign) then a true regeneration and evolution would commence. Burying everything of sentiment, in favour of characterless flats, and conditional bribes of a foreign university, does not induce pride to anyone other than those with a vested interest.
It is also ironic that the "pride campaigns" always feature certain councillors, that play the worst parts in the so called regeneration, usually having a retalliation at a comedian, or actor that has merely made an observation, of said councillors-planners
-developers faceless handywork.
BWB
says...
11:19pm Tue 27 Jan 09
I Too, Swindon
I think you need to read the post again Loveall.
Were we not criticising the very same alleged corruptions?
Dont be to hard on him I Too.
Loveall Is one of many who cant
grasp the real context of a
true comment.I realy do feel for such people.
Good night all.
Loveall
says...
8:22am Wed 28 Jan 09
itsamess
says...
10:00am Wed 28 Jan 09
Seems to me you were right at the heart of corrupt practice--or was your post incorrect. Consider the fact that if every dept were allocating work on rewards only basis--it is hardly surprising the council services are so poor because the best providers are not getting the work--hence the god awful mess created.
If this is the case dear person you should reveal all and help begin the process of fairness
itsamess
says...
10:21am Wed 28 Jan 09
BWB
says...
1:12pm Wed 28 Jan 09
itsamess wrote:
Perhaps the adver will publish your post BWB
As this was twenty three years ago
and the Company Is gone.I doubt It.
However,I am trying to become a
member of the House of Lords.
Seems they do quite well according
to media reports.
Corruption will never cease.The
higher you go the bigger It gets.
No further correspondece on this
subject will be answered.
Subject now closed.
merg
says...
5:31pm Wed 28 Jan 09
BWB
To all intents and purposes you give the impression you worked for the Council. You will be aware there is no statute of limitations in this country. I agree with you the higher it goes the bigger it gets--sure--no more correspondence as you jut may incriminate yourself further--just like shutting the stable after the horse has bolted. Hope you enjoyed your ill gotten gains.
Comment now! Register or sign in below.
Log in with us
Fields marked with * are mandatory.
Or
Log in with