13 June 2005 D13/2005

Partnership persistence pays off

Downland Housing Association and Geoffrey Osborne Limited are proud to have commenced construction of the seventy-nine new affordable homes in Cranleigh, Surrey. To mark the start of construction Downland, Osborne and Waverley Borough Council met on site to recognise of all those involved on the project.

The scheme in Wyphurst Road, (Cranleigh) has been brought to life after twelve years of persistence by the landowner, local authority, its advisors, housing association and contractor.

The site was offered for affordable homes for local people by a local landowner in response to the acute local need demonstrated by the number of applicants from Cranleigh on Waverley Borough Council’s Housing Needs Register.

The development has been designed to incorporate recommendations from a host of surveys covering wildlife protection, archaeological finds, increased traffic and drainage of the site. Some of the homes are being built using the “Jabhouse” Structural Insulated Panels System (SIPS). The system utilises prefabricated timber panels, enabling them to be built quickly and safely whilst giving the homes an extremely high standard of energy efficiency.

Construction is due to complete in June 2006.

Mark Perry, Chief Executive of Downland Housing Association said: “Downland is once again proud to be working in Cranleigh. Having worked with Geoffrey Osborne and Waverley Borough Council before Downland is especially pleased to be working on such a prominent project. Together the partnership brings expertise, community development, peace of mind and innovation. We look forward to welcoming the new residents in 2006”.

Councillor Ken Reed, Waverley Borough Council's Portfolio-holder for
Housing said: "The need for affordable homes in the village of Cranleigh has been a very pressing issue for many years. Over 200 Cranleigh households are on Waverley's Housing Needs Register with many in desperate need of an affordable home. With few Council or Housing Association vacancies becoming available each year in the village, this development of 79 affordable homes, for local people, is of major significance to the community.

I congratulate all who have worked tirelessly to bring this scheme to life.
I eagerly look forward to the day when these excellent affordable homes can
be offered to local families who deserve the opportunity to have a home in
the village community that they know and love."