Multi million pound investment transforms disused care home into new homes
Pictured at the former Angel Court care home site are Gavin Napper, managing director of Pentaco Construction as he presents keys to councillor Jan Osborne, who is joined by (from left), Mat Cant, senior quantity surveyor; Chris Clow, contracts manager; Steve Brock, construction director; Louise Reeve, social value and engagement manager from Pentaco; councillor David Bushby; and council leader John Ward. Photo: Simon Watson Photography.
Celebrations have been held to mark the £3m transformation of a former care home into social housing.
The former Angel Court care home in Angel Street, Hadleigh, has been converted into 21 new homes.
The development, which has been funded by Babergh District Council and Homes England, is a mix of one and two-bedroom flats as well as adding a further nine homes to Babergh’s council housing stock.
Pentaco Construction, site contractors, presented the keys to the new houses to Babergh councillors David Busby and Jan Osborne this week.
Jan Osborne, Babergh District Council’s cabinet member for housing, said: “We believe everyone in Babergh should have somewhere affordable that they can call home. Social housing is required within every local community and this development meets a range of needs – whether they are adding to our 3,500 council houses across the district or helping those on lower-income to own their own property with a part-rent, part-buy option. Ultimately, these properties are more than bricks and mortar. They are now people’s homes.”
And David Busby, the council’s cabinet member for assets and investments, added: “This is just one example of the investment we are making to ensure we have the right type of housing in the right place to meet the needs of local residents. This was a significant council investment to breathe new life into a disused town centre site, and solve a local need for social housing – offering a real demonstration of the council’s ongoing desire to support its communities.”
Gavin Napper, managing director of Pentaco Construction, said: “With the ever-increasing need for quality affordable housing, Pentaco are delighted to support a project in which we not only create new homes, but repurpose a derelict site to build something better. We are excited to continue our involvement with more projects that use spaces creatively to create opportunity and improve the quality of life for residents, local communities and businesses, just as we’ve helped achieve here at Angel Court.”
The project was managed by Iceni Homes, with agents Richard Utting Associates. Property and construction consultancy Ingleton Wood provided architectural and planning services for the scheme.
Applications to rent the new homes have already been received via the Gateway to Homechoice choice based lettings system (www.gatewaytohomechoice.org.uk) but anyone wishing to register an interest in one of the shared ownership properties should contact Iceni Homes on 01449 356914.