Corby Borough Council has the huge ambition of doubling its population to over 100,000 by 2031. A significant part of realising that ambition will be met by providing new homes and new tenants to existing inner estates and communities.
Work to build new homes at the first two estates earmarked for regeneration, Kingswood and Arran Way, has commenced utilising Kickstart and Social Housing Grant totalling £2.9m secured by the Borough Council and partners. 176 new homes are to be provided, all built to Sustainable Code Level 3 or Eco Homes, Very Good standard.
This is the culmination of years of planning and engagement with local residents. At the outset locals helped determine which outdated and unpopular properties should be demolished. Once agreed there followed a painstaking programme of land assembly, relocation and finally demolition. Throughout this process the views and opinions of locals were sought and acted upon.
For both estates respected top architects and planning consultants were engaged to ensure that the new homes and layouts reflected local views. These professionals worked directly and closely with local people including Tenants and Residents Associations to produce two very distinct schemes. At Arran Way homes very modern in appearance have been preferred built around a new road layout that brings greater connectivity across the whole estate. At Kingswood, dwellings traditional in appearance, based on influences such as the Rockingham Forest Design Guide, have been agreed around a layout which provides a new central square for the estate and better vehicular and pedestrian movement across it.
At Kingswood 146 new homes are underway with a further 30 at Arran Way. The homes will all be completed by the end of March 2011.
At both estates the Borough Council have provided house building partners who continue to regularly meet local residents to help ensure their satisfaction during the construction phase.
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