Guildford provides the 10,000th home in 40 years for housing association

Susan Marshall of Guildford is now the proud new owner of the 10,000th home provided by Thames Valley Housing in its 40 years of operation.

At an opening ceremony on December 13th a special presentation was made by the chairman of Thames Valley Housing, Peter Williams, to mark the occasion. Also present was Adrian Maunders, Director of Guildford Borough Council and Albert Scurfield, Divisional Operations Director at Kier Partnership Homes to celebrate the achievement.

As suppliers of affordable housing, Thames Valley Housing provides houses for rent and shared ownership through programmes including the governments’ HomeBuy scheme.

This development at Stream Banks in Pound Court includes 18 homes for affordable rent, including 14 two-bedroom houses plus 2 three-bedroom houses and 2 two-bedroom bungalows, which have been designed to be wheelchair accessible.

A Georgian Grade II listed farmhouse on the site provided the inspiration for the competition-winning design. Thames Valley Housing and another RSL (registered social landlord) were approached by Guildford Borough Council for a proposal to develop the site. Working with architects’ Calford Seadon, Thames Valley Housing design was chosen and Kier Partnership Homes was engaged to carry out the construction.

Built using timber frame construction, Stream Banks meets the EcoHomes standard of ‘very good’ and resembles farm worker cottages with a large barn.

Keith Holloway, Thames Valley Housing Chief Executive comments: “Thames Valley Housing is committed to providing well designed homes for affordable rent and HomeBuy, and we are delighted to mark the occasion of our 10,000th home in 40 years of operation here in Guildford, where we have worked so successfully with the local authority now and in the past.

Stream Banks provides a great example of the types of developments we’re committed to, providing affordable homes for local people while preserving the environment of the area.”

Woods nearby host a colony of pipistrelle bats, so bat boxes were built to allow them to continue to live locally. The banks of the stream at the rear of the development have been protected to allow the wildlife and ecology of the stream to remain unaffected.

Stream Banks has been part-funded by a Housing Corporation Social Housing Grant of £900,000. The land has been provided by Guildford Borough Council.

Councillor Andrew French, Lead Councillor for Housing at Guildford Borough Council, comments: "We are delighted to see the completion of the Stream Banks development, which will provide much needed affordable housing for local families. The council is committed to providing affordable housing that meets the needs of our residents and we will continue to work with our partners to deliver this."

Housing Corporation Director for the South East, Fiona Cruickshank, comments: "I am delighted Housing Corporation funding is helping to meet housing need in Guildford. I particularly would like to congratulate Thames Valley Housing Association on delivering its 10,000th home which is a significant achievement. These homes have contributed greatly to meeting housing need and helping people on to the housing ladder in the South East and London."

For further information, visit tvha.co.uk.