More new council homes on the way

More new council homes are on the cards as work starts on phase four of the council’s small sites transformation.

The small sites strategy aims to bring smaller sites – such as old garages, run down properties gap sites and parcels of land not usually attractive to developers – in to use for new homes.

In 2016, the council identified 25 small development sites to be used for building new, and extending existing, council homes. In total, more than 130 new properties will be built.

In January 2017, work started on four sites in Wexham and in August 2017 on an additional six sites in Britwell and Northborough. In May 2018 work started on six more sites across the town and now the largest phase is starting with six more sites bringing 36 new properties.

And on one site in this phase, the former Britwell Ex-Serviceman’s Club, as well as 12 new properties, the council is replacing the run down club building with a brand new facility.

The new developments are being undertaken by Slough Urban Renewal (SUR), a partnership between Slough Borough Council and Morgan Sindall Investments Ltd, which is driving regeneration across the town including in leisure, housing, community and school buildings.

The sites are:

Turton Way, Chalvey
Four new two-bedroom homes on a disused car parking and garage site.

Belfast Avenue, Manor Park
One four-bedroom, six three-bedroom and five two-bedroom homes, including two homes adapted for use by people with disabilities on a disused site bought from Herschel Grammar School.

Newport Road, Lynch Hill
Two two-bedroom homes on a disused garage site.

Wentworth Avenue, Britwell
Twelve three-bedroom homes and a new ex-serviceman’s club on the site of the former Britwell ex-serviceman’s club.

Cheviot Road, Langley
Three two-bedroom homes on a disused garage site.

Bowyer Drive, Cippenham
One two-bedroom and two three-bedroom homes on a disused garage site.

Councillor Mohammed Nazir, cabinet member for housing, said: “These small sites, in addition to the six in phase three, six in phase two and four in phase one, are the reality of our strategy to utilise small plots of land – garages, derelict properties and infill – to provide desperately needed, quality council homes for the people of our town.

“With more than 130 new properties being built just in these small sites, alongside ones in SUR’s new developments, we will be offering even more people access to decent quality affordable homes.”

Andy Howell, general manager at Slough Urban Renewal said, “We are delighted that by working in partnership with the council, we are able to make a real difference to the people of Slough, providing much needed new homes for local people.

“SUR has been working hard to bring these challenging sites forward and it is very satisfying to see phase four beginning.

“By transforming various small sites, we are improving local communities and contributing to the council’s demand for housing which will benefit all.”