NU living attended the National Housing Awards this afternoon in London and came away with the award for the Best Scheme in Planning for the Cambridge Road development in Barking.

This award recognises the challenges faced when submitting a scheme for planning. The judges were looking for:

• How the local community have been consulted to ensure that the scheme has considered the local environment.
• How the development meets the needs of the local market, local strategy requirements and how it has responded to demand.
• Evidence of how any specific challenges or local considerations were taken into account when gaining planning permission.
• How the scheme shows a strong commitment to environmental sustainability whilst remaining affordable for future residents.
• How the design features make the most of the site potential as well as showing sensitivity to intimate neighbourhoods and the surrounding area.

Representatives from Swan and NU living were at the event this afternoon to collect the award from Alexander Armstrong.

The sales launch of Cambridge Road is due to take place at the end of October. More details to follow.

Fantastic news! Well done to all.

Swan Housing Association, the Greater London Authority (“GLA”) and the London Borough of Redbridge today celebrated work beginning on Swan’s exciting new development ‘The Paragon’ in Ilford.

The Mayor of Ilford Cllr Gurdial Bhamra; Cllr Jas Athwal, Leader of the Council; Cllr Farah Hussain, Redbridge Council Cabinet Member for Housing; and Sandra Fawcett, Swan’s Executive Director – Operations were among the guests, whom also included representatives from the GLA attending the afternoon event, which saw an official ground breaking and speeches from Borough and GLA representatives.

This project, located near Ilford Station will provide 141 flats in total, comprising 36 affordable rent flats (2-3 bed, some open plan and some with separate kitchens), and 105 shared ownership flats (1-2 beds, all open plan).10% of units will be constructed to wheelchair adaptable standards.

Today's launch will see the start of groundworks and the development of the three residential blocks, the highest being 18 storeys. Further works, including the commercial units, which will house the Sales Suite, are planned for completion in autumn 2017.

NU living will be delivering the project and it will be funded in part by the Greater London Authority.

Geoff Pearce Swan’s Executive Director – Regeneration and Development said: “We are delighted to break ground on this new development. Working in partnership with the London Borough of Redbridge and the Greater London Authority, our regeneration of The Paragon, like our regeneration at Repton Court and Claire House, will provide much needed high-quality new homes for the borough, together with improved communal areas including play equipment for children. Paragon will also introduce a new commercial unit to compliment the wider regeneration of the borough.”

Cllr Farah Hussain, Redbridge Council Cabinet Member for Housing said: “Providing affordable homes in the Borough is an important priority for us and key to building a sustainable future for Redbridge. We are very pleased that through our partnership with Swan Housing Association we will deliver a range of affordable homes to meet local housing need.”

Cllr Helen Coomb, Cabinet Member for Regeneration, Property and Planning said: “The Paragon is located within the Ilford Housing Zone, where developers, the GLA and Redbridge Council are working closely to accelerate the delivery of housing including much needed affordable units.”