18/12/2008 : BHP first ALMO in UK set to buy council property
Granville New Homes - a flagship development of new homes in Brent - is set to be managed by Brent Housing Partnership (BHP) after a landmark decision was made by members of Brent's Executive last night (15 December 08).
BHP is the first Arms Length Management Organisation (ALMO) in the UK to purchase property.
This decision - which is subject to approval from the BHP board and the Secretary of State - should not affect the council tenants expected to move into Granville New Homes in the new year. BHP will be offering the same tenancy conditions in respect of rent and service charges that were offered by Hyde.
All of the 110 flats will become owned and managed by BHP. However Brent Council hope to be able to provide opportunities for home ownership in the future.
BHP Managing Director, Helen Evans, said: We are very excited by the prospect of purchasing Granville New Homes. Over the next few weeks we will be working closely with Brent Council to reach an agreement that is good for BHP, the council and most importantly for residents. After which the final decision to go ahead will be made by the BHP Board in the new year."
Granville New Homes is the second development of homes to be built in the £1bn regeneration programme for South Kilburn. The new homes have been built to the highest quality design and specification with generous space standards, communal landscape gardens, energy saving features, water and refuse recycling facilities, sound and thermal installations to offer comfort for future residents. The development also includes a community facility which provides after school services for local children and other facilities for young and older people.
The development also boasts:
- whole house ventilation systems
- solar thermal heating
- under floor heating
- hi Insulation values
- grey water recycling
- water attenuation tanks
- communal satellite system
- electric and gas meters for each dwelling
- telephone cabling pre-installed to living room and main bedroom
- design to meet secure by design
- a 'very good' eco home rating.
Residents of South Kilburn properties set for demolition (in phase 1 of the Master Plan) were offered the opportunity to move into these properties in Granville Road. It is now in the final stages of development with residents poised to move into their new homes in the New Year.
Charlene Dannie, a tenant living in South Kilburn who is due to move into Granville New Homes, said: "I just wanted to say a big thank you to Brent Council for providing me with my new home at Granville New Homes.They are beautiful and it will definitely change my life. I am currently living in a one bedroom with two children. I know other people are living in South Kilburn under the similar circumstances. I hope the regeneration starts soon so other people can benefit from change too.
" Speaking about the proposals, Cllr James Allie, Lead Member for Housing and Customer Services, said: "I'm pleased that we are able to be in a position to work with BHP to deliver new affordable homes, despite the current market. While many councils across the country have given up trying to regenerate areas, we are determined to carry on.
"This administration firmly believes that mixed tenure developments are by far and away the best way to create sustainable communities which avoid the trap of creating social ghettos. I'm proud that Brent is succeeding in delivering even in uncertain times."
Brent Council has been working with its partner Hyde Housing Association on the regeneration of South Kilburn for nearly three years. The Granville New Homes development was expected to be sold to Hyde - the councils main regeneration partner. But in these tough economic times an acceptable purchase price could not be agreed between the two parties.
Cllr Allie said: "We'd like to thank Hyde for all their hard work and investment in South Kilburn. We hope to still be working with Hyde in South Kilburn and are discussing options for a possible partial stock transfer in the future.
Julia Johnson, Assistant Director of Hyde Housing, said: "Hyde staff based in our local office in South Kilburn have been actively involved in showing residents their prospective new homes at Granville. So, while we are disappointed that the council was unable to sell the scheme to Hyde, we wish those residents all the very best for the future in their new homes. Hyde remains completely committed to continuing to work in close partnership with both the residents and council towards the successful regeneration of the South Kilburn estate."