WATERLOO ESTATE UPDATE www.havering.gov.uk/askhousing
JUNE 2018
LBHHousing
Waterloo Estate Regeneration meeting Tuesday 6 March 2018 Havering Council is really pleased to be working with Wates Residential as a Joint Venture partner in the £1 billion regeneration project, which will see 12 Council estates regenerated to provide around 3,000 homes in Havering over the next 12 years.
Neil Stubbings, Havering’s regeneration consultant briefs residents
Guest speaker, Brian Moore
Latest Meeting On Tuesday 6 March, Neil Stubbings visited residents of the Waterloo Estate at the Salvation Army, Romford to update them on the regeneration programme for Havering. Guest speaker, Brian Moore gave an overview of his positive experience of the rehousing process and the smooth transition he had while moving for him and his daughter.
What was discussed? Neil informed residents that to date around 257 households, including 75 sheltered housing tenants, in the regeneration areas have moved to new homes including 73 tenants from Waterloo. Leaseholders and freeholders can start the process to sell their property to the Council via our specialist officer, Ian Nolan. Many have already sold to us. First demolitions will be the Waterloo Estate, Napier House and New Plymouth House and Solar, Serena and Sunrise. Demolition is due to start in late 2019. That can only happen when we have moved everyone off the estates.
Meet the Contractor
Havering Council and Wates will be hosting a meet and greet drop in session at Havering Volunteer Centre, 32-34 High Street, Romford RM11HR on Tuesday 22 May between 4pm – 7pm. This will be an opportunity to give us your views and consult with us on the design on the buildings.
Wates has been chosen after an extensive procurement process during which they proved they are well placed to deliver the new homes that we need and outlined their commitment to the long-term future of Havering. They also showed that not only do they have an awareness of the culture, history and heritage of Havering but they share the Council’s vision for the future of the borough. The project will see an overhaul of Havering’s existing Council accommodation on the 12 Sites. Delivering improved provision, the regeneration will increase Council rented accommodation by 70 per cent and build 400 low-cost home ownership properties. By doubling the amount of affordable housing on the 12 estates, this project delivers much-needed affordable homes for residents that are truly affordable on local income levels. In addition to the new house building, there will be a significant amount of new jobs created as well as excellent supply chain opportunities for local businesses to be involved with.
Waterloo Estate Update JUNE 2018
Questions & Answers Q. Why is a property being repaired when it is being demolished?
Q. Why does a door cost £165?
A. One example of why could be where some properties have polystyrene ceiling tiles which don’t comply with current health and safety legislation. Properties need to be brought to the lettings standard. If we are going to use them for temporary accommodation. In some circumstances, repairs may need to be carried out for Health and Safety reasons for the whole block e.g. repairing fire doors.
A. Fire doors can cost around £160 and standard doors cost £120 then an additional cost to fit the door. Pre Void assessments are carried out with the resident and a Regeneration Officer to identify any issues where recharges could happen to give time for them to be put right i.e replace a door that has been taken off. Pre Void assessment process is available on the website along with advice on how to minimise the potential for re charges.
Q. How many bedrooms will the new properties on the site of the Waterloo Estate have? i.e. will there be different size properties to match people’s differing housing needs so that all households that wish to are able to return? A. The delivery of the affordable housing unit will be delivered according to the Housing need identified by the Strategic Housing Market Assessment and in line with the housing need of those people on the housing register. Our greatest need is for two and three bedroomed accommodation. The joint venture partnership will not only be replacing the current amount of Affordable Housing but will be increasing the amount of affordable housing on the estate. This will provide additional housing for Havering residents. We will also be taking into account the housing need for the existing residents on the estate as everyone has the right to return. Q. If Residents decide they wish to move back onto the new estate, will their rent rates remain at their current social housing rate? A. Returning residents will keep their same tenancy terms as now, so if you are on a life time tenancy or fixed term you will keep that when you move back. For returning tenants we will be charging social rent levels and not increasing them to affordable rent levels. Q. Will gardens from the current properties be replaced on the new estate? A. Detailed plans haven’t been drawn up as of yet. However the council will discuss and include residents in the designing of facilities on the new estate. Q. If a property is not redecorated before leaving, will tenants be recharged? A. No, tenants are not charged to bring decoration up to lettable standard or any wear and tear. Tenants will only be charged where property is found to have supplied wilful damage such as doors being removed, which is stated in the tenancy agreement.
Contact details:
www.havering.gov.uk/regenadvice housingregeneration@havering.gov.uk www.havering.gov.uk/HousingRegeneration
Next meeting:
Tuesday
4
SEPTEMBER
The next update meeting will be on Tuesday 4 September at the Salvation Army from 6pm.
Q. How long until remaining tenants need to leave? A. The Council want vacant possession by September 2019. Q. Will Regeneration policies change if the council administration changes in the May elections? A. I can’t give a definite answer as I cannot predict any future administration policies. However I would like to think that due to the current cross party support gained so far nothing will change. Q. I am concerned about the drug dealing in the Sun pub. A. We will inform police of this matter. Q. Why has the alleyway by The Sun pub been blocked as the pub has been boarded up? A. We will look into this matter as the pub should not have done this. Q. Will repairs still be carried out to flats on the estate? A. Yes, the same repairs service will continue. Q. What happens if you want to move but you haven’t been offered a property? A. This is more than likely because a match has not yet been made for you that meets your housing needs in an area you have requested. You should speak to your Rehousing Officer regularly to ensure we have the most up to date information and to keep updated on progress. Q. What will happen to temporary accommodation tenants when the block is due to be demolished? A. They will be rehoused but in temporary accommodation. They will not go into permanent social housing. Q. Are the temporary accommodation tenants aware of the regeneration programme? A. Yes, they are informed of this when they sign their licence agreement.
Waterloo Estate Surgery date visits Housing Regeneration Officers
Tenancy Sustainment Officers
Thursday 07 June 2018
Wednesday 30 May 2018
Thursday 28 June 2018
Wednesday 20 June 2018
Thursday 19 July 2018
Wednesday 11 July 2018
Thursday 09 August 2018
Wednesday 01 August 2018
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