18/06/2008   D7/08   Downland

Development is top for innovation

A PIONEERING housing development designed to be accessible for disabled people has won a top industry award for innovation.

Monarch’s View, The Rise, in Portslade, won the Best Access/ Disability Innovation gong at the LABC Sussex Built in Quality Awards.

Developed by Downland Housing Association, in partnership with builders Rok and Brighton and Hove City Council, the new build scheme seeks to improve the quality of life of its residents.    

All of the 40 affordable homes have disabled access and the development also features four specially designed wheelchair-friendly family homes - two of which include through-floor lifts.

The homes all meet the Lifetimes Homes standard and are easily capable of further adaptation.  The two acre development was also the first in Brighton to include a Home Zone road safety scheme which gives priority to pedestrians.

Kevin Graham, who moved in with his wife Diane in November, said:  “My wife is a wheelchair user and our new home has improved our quality of life massively.  It is the little things that make all the difference like being able to cook at the low level cooker, move from room to room easily, and sit in the garden together.  It is brilliant.”

Andrew Troop, regional customer leader for Rok Brighton, said: “We are thrilled that the development at the Rise has won this coveted award.  Rok is committed to operating in a way that not only causes as little harm to the environment as possible but also has a positive impact, and this scheme is a good example of this.”

David Shepherd, assistant director of business development for the Affinity Sutton Group parent company of Downland Housing Association, said:  “It is fantastic that the scheme has been recognised and it demonstrates our commitment to building homes that meet the needs of disabled people.”

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