A £1.9 million Halewood regeneration project 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 is committed to creating a successful and sustainable community for people and businesses in Knowsley, has been recognised for its work at Penman Crescent. This is the second consecutive year in which a KHT site has featured in the list.
The 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. Furthermore, residents and tenants were shown how to use these sustainable features in order to maximise their energy savings.
By using a local workforce and supplier network where possible, the project was also able to benefit the community, 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. Exterior landscaping, with lots of greenery has helped to create a welcoming neighbourhood.
Ian Thomson, executive director at KHT, said: “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 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.