First Kickstart money released as criteria tightens
The housing minister has announced the first projects that will be funded through the Kickstart scheme, but introduced fresh conditions for future bidders.
John Healey has said 10 stalled developments will share £10 million to resume work on 740 homes. He has also announced the second round of the £925 million scheme.
Mr Healey added that he is making running apprenticeship schemes and recruiting from the local area a condition of accessing any of the £1.5 billion announced in prime minister Gordon Brown’s housing pledge in June. This includes £525 million of Kickstart money.
Nine of the 10 projects that have so far received funding are run by developers that have established apprenticeship programmes.
Kickstart is designed to get work moving on housing schemes that have been stalled by the recession. A shortlist published by the Homes and Communities Agency in July showed 270 projects had been earmarked, taking the full allocation of £925 million for up to 22,398 homes.
Further allocations for the first round of funding are expected to be announced in the next two months, with work due to start on site by March 2010. The second round will be funded using cash from shortlisted projects that did not make the final cut.
Mr Healey said: ‘We are using the power of government investment to build the homes that people need, help get people into jobs and help Britain through the recession. But I also want to create the career opportunities that our young people deserve.’
HCA chief executive Sir Bob Kerslake added: ‘Kickstart isn’t just about unlocking more homes; it will also be the catalyst that delivers a much wider set of benefits to local communities including job opportunities, apprenticeships and accommodation for vulnerable people.’
The successful bidders
1. The Pippens, Rugeley, Staffordshire, West Midlands
The Pippens site, close to Lea Hall colliery, will enhance the last decade of regeneration work in the area. £507,188 Kickstart funding will create a total of 52 homes including 21 HomeBuy Direct houses and 14 Low Cost Homes, starting work in November this year. The developer, Persimmon Homes Ltd, provides an apprenticeship scheme.
2. Mitchells Brook, Sandwell, West Midlands
The £120,563 Mitchells Brook project will regenerate the former Cape Hill Brewery. Persimmon Homes Ltd are creating a 52-home development that will deliver five HomeBuy Direct properties and three social rent homes, starting November 2009. Persimmon will also run an apprentice/local labour scheme as part of this project.
3. Foxwalk, Sandwell, West Midlands
The £139,098 Fox Walk development in Cradley Heath will provide 10 HomeBuy Direct, seven social rent and eight affordable homes as part of a 61 home development starting in October. Barratt Developments Plc will create apprenticeships and/or have or a local labour scheme on this site.
4. Attwood Green, Birmingham, West Midlands
Attwood Green is a major redevelopment in walking distance of the Birmingham City Centre. The £412,395 Kickstart funding will help create 50 homes, including 14 under HomeBuy Direct starting on site in November. Persimmon Homes has stated their intention to create apprenticeships and/or have or a local labour scheme on this site.
5. Westpoint, Portishead, South West
The Westpoint scheme will help to regenerate the Portishead dockside. £246,000 Kickstart funding will help provide 96 homes in the area, including 17 HomeBuy Direct homes, starting in November this year. Barratt Developments Plc will create apprenticeships and/or have or a local labour scheme on this site.
6. Steeple Chase, Redcar, North East
The Steeple Chase site in Redcar will help to address the slow housing market in the area. £4,566,030 Kickstart funding will provide 141 homes - 90 social rented and 12 HomeBuy Direct homes, as well as 39 open market homes. 12 apartments in the Coast and Country Housing Association Ltd development will be constructed as shelters for women fleeing violence for local charity EVA.
Coast and Country Housing Association are looking to create employment opportunities, including apprenticeships, through a local labour scheme.
7. Repton Park, Ashford, South East
A former army barracks, the £631,200 Repton Park project will help deliver 56 homes. This will include 31 HomeBuy Direct houses, ten open market sale homes, four social rented homes and eleven low cost homes, starting on site at the beginning of 2010. Persimmon Homes Ltd will also create apprenticeships and/or have or a local labour scheme on this site.
8. Roebuck Park, Hellingley, South East
Renovating the former Hellingley Hospital site, the completed Roebuck Park will provide a total of 400 homes within historic buildings and surrounded by a local country park, sports facilities and community centre. £752,850 Kickstart funding will help deliver 64 homes, including 28 HomeBuy Direct, 18 open market, 14 social rented and four low cost homes, starting on site in November this year. Persimmon Homes Ltd will create apprenticeships and/or have or a local labour scheme on this site.
9. Fieldways, Poulton, South West
The £242,250 Fieldways scheme in Poulton will bring forward a total of 110 homes, including 10 HomeBuy Direct homes, starting on site in November this year. Barratt Developments Plc will create apprenticeships and/or have or a local labour scheme on this site.
10. Gilead Street, Liverpool
Gilead Streetis statistically one of the poorest areas of Liverpool, and considered one of the most deprived districts in the United Kingdom. £2,654,500 Kickstart funding will help provide 58 homes, including four social houses and 25 low cost homes, and help restart the development of vacant buildings in the area. RSL Riverside run an apprenticeship programme on this site.
Information on projects supplied by CLG
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