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Prefabs make way for affordable green homes

Posted: 08/01/2007

Work on a £4.8 million eco-friendly housing development in Sawston, Cambridgeshire will get under way this month following the demolition of 28 concrete homes built after the Second World War. The 'Airey' houses were constructed from pre-cast concrete panels, meaning that in the 1940s and 1950s, when resources were stretched, houses could be built using unskilled labour and few imported materials. However, they were difficult to maintain and attracted dampness.

The new development, which is the result of a partnership between South Cambridgeshire District Council (SCDC) and developers Circle Anglia, will consist of 44 affordable homes available for rent, shared ownership and for sale on the open market.

Cllr Deborah Roberts, SCDC's housing portfolio holder, said: "Providing more affordable housing is a SCDC priority and I'm delighted that this development is moving ahead. The difficulties of getting onto the housing ladder are well known, and SCDC is working hard with its partners, including Circle Anglia, to complete 300 new affordable houses across the district in 2007."

Demolition work on the site began just before Christmas and the development, built by Higgins Construction Ltd using modern methods that minimise heat loss and maximise energy efficiency, has been partly funded with an £825,000 grant from the Housing Corporation.

Circle Anglia's development manager, Darren Blake, said: "We are delighted to reach the second phase of this regeneration programme of development. "The regeneration of the Airey properties has received a significant Housing Corporation grant of £825,000, which will go a long way to building much needed lifetime affordable homes for the people of Cambridgeshire. We look forward to continuing our work with SCDC in the future to continue to deliver affordable housing in the region."

Occupants of the Airey homes have been moved into alternative properties by the district council and the new homes are expected to be completed in December. An SCDC spokesman said: "Everybody living in the 28 homes had to be decanted and moved into other council-owned properties before the demolition work began. Some will be moving back into the newly built homes in Sawston once they are completed."

Airey Homes are prefabricated houses named after Sir Edwin Airey, who originally developed the design. The new housing is designed to have reduced carbon consumption and improved energy efficiency.

Saffron Walden Reporter  
 

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