MOUNT GREEN LAUNCHES ASHSTEAD HOMES
26/01/10
MOUNT GREEN LAUNCHES ASHSTEAD HOMES
The High Sheriff of Surrey, Lady Elizabeth Toulson has opened Mount Green Housing Association's new affordable housing development at Howard Close, Ashtead, Surrey.
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Guests at the opening included new resident Claire Safa, who is looking forward to moving into one of the new homes.
Nick Ronald, chief executive of Mount Green Housing Association, said: "It was an honour to welcome the High Sheriff and Councillor Tim Hall, the chairman of Mole Valley District Council, to the opening event where we had some excellent feedback from stakeholders who took the opportunity to look round the new homes."
Picture: (clockwise from front, right) The High Sheriff of Surrey, Lady Elizabeth Toulson; resident Claire Safa; Councillor Tim Hall, chairman of Mole Valley District Council; Mount Green Housing Association chief executive Nick Ronald; Lovell regional director S teve Coombs; Mount Green Housing Association chairman Richard Frost and Mount Green Housing Association surveyor Mike Biggins.
In a central location, just off Ashtead High Street, the new apartments - which replace outdated flats - have been designed by KCA Architects, with input from residents and the housing services department at Mole Valley District Council to create high-quality accommodation.
Each property achieves Level Three of the Code for Sustainable Homes. The apartments have photovoltaic panels - which convert sunlight to electricity - on their roofs and incorporate high levels of insulation.
Lovell began construction work on the £4.4 million development in November 2008 with work on the homes for affordable rent completed in December and the shared ownership flats set to be finished at the end of January. The new development replaces a former sheltered housing scheme at the site where accommodation did not mee t modern standards.
Mount Green, in association with Lovell, has worked closely with people living nearby during the construction programme.
Mr Ronald recalls his first visit to Howard Close, before it was acquired by Mount Green, on a dark, wet, autumn day.
He said: "It was clear the properties were in much need of improvement and the facilities provided were poor by today's standards. We are pleased that we have been able to develop new homes to a very high modern standard and have been happy to work with our contractor, Lovell."
