New homes on the starting blocks for Harlow 02.12.05
Another crucial milestone in the delivery of the innovative
Harlow Gateway project has been achieved with the start of
infrastructure works to support the first phase of housing on the
flagship Gateway site on Fifth Avenue.
The works involve construction of a new access to the northern
part of the site, nearest the station, and will last for
approximately 12 weeks. They will enable a start to be made
on the first phase of new housing on the site once detailed plans
from the developer have been approved.
This should be closely followed by a second phase once the new
Harlow Town Football Stadium at Barrow’s Farm and the new athletics
track at Mark Hall School are completed next year and the existing
facilities can be vacated.
“The development will provide much needed housing for the
Town. Around 530 houses and apartments are to be provided in
total, and 30 per cent of these will be affordable rented, shared
ownership and key worker accommodation,” said a Gateway Partnership
spokesperson.
The final phase of the development will take place after the
existing Sportcentre is relocated to the new community leisure
facility to be built next to Harlow College.
Warden, Swan and Presentation housing associations have
already been chosen to develop and manage the affordable housing
elements, and a developer for the overall scheme will be announced
shortly.
“Getting to this point is a major achievement. We are
delighted that delivery of the Gateway vision in full is now
finally in sight. With two of the three planned new leisure
facilities now under construction, these enabling works not only
open the door to new housing opportunities for local people, but
mean the funding for the rest of the scheme can also be put into
place,” the Gateway Partnership spokesperson added.
“The partners are delighted to have reached this critical
milestone in a project that will be a major boost for sports,
leisure and lifestyle activities in Harlow, in line with the Harlow
Gateway vision. This really is an excellent example of how,
by working together in partnership, we can achieve real and lasting
benefits for the Town and its community.”
The Gateway construction programme is designed to ensure that
the current Sportcentre and Harlow Pool facilities remain open
until replacements are up and running.
Note to editors:
- The Harlow Gateway Partnership consists of Harlow District
Council; Harlow Sports Trust; English Partnerships, the national
regeneration agency; and the Office of the Deputy Prime
Minister. In addition Harlow Town Football Club, Harlow
College, Mark Hall School, Science Alive and the Primary Care Trust
are all supporting the Gateway initiative.
- The £42 million Harlow Gateway Project is funded by a £10.9
contribution from the Government via the Office of the Deputy Prime
Minister, with the balance coming from the three funding partners -
Harlow Sports Trust; English Partnerships, the national
regeneration agency; and Harlow District Council - and existing
property assets, including the sale of the current Harlow sports
centre site for housing.
For further information
contact:
Carol Leach, Harlow Gateway Partnership, tel 07968
619129
OR: Paul Stelmaszczyk / Ben Copithorne, Camargue,
tel 020 7636 7366.
Quotes from key members of the Harlow Gateway
Partnership:
Bill Rammell MP said: “Delivering new homes for people in
Harlow is a key element of the Gateway initiative and I’m delighted
that we will soon be in a position to release the first part of
this site for housing. The Gateway initiative is about giving
people in Harlow better options for a happy and healthy quality of
life. These new homes will play a key part in the wider
development and regeneration of Harlow as a town in which people
can enjoy living, working and spending their leisure time."
Cllr Chris Millington said: “This new housing is very
important for Harlow and, as a project team, we are all pleased to
see the diggers rolling and these new homes starting to take
shape. The new homes will play an important role in providing
a mix of housing in Harlow, delivering better options and better
choice.”
Cllr Kevin Brooks said: “The Harlow Gateway initiative is all
about providing much needed improvements in facilities for the
local community. Alongside the impressive new sports
facilities which are both planned and underway, providing over 500
new homes will deliver a big boost to the town.”
Cllr Tony Hall said: “Harlow is a successful and attractive
town in which to live and work but the regeneration being delivered
by the Gateway project is vital for the ongoing development of the
town and its community. This new housing, together with the
Gateway’s sports and leisure elements, will bring many benefits to
Harlow.”
Richard Harrington, Area Director with English Partnerships,
the national regeneration agency, said: “Seeing the
preparations being put in place for the Gateway housing is a very
positive sign. We’re now looking forward to seeing the new
homes completed and to a better mix of houses in Harlow. The
improved availability of affordable housing will make a real
difference to people’s lives in Harlow. As a regeneration
project, the Gateway combines the best of everything: homes, sports
& leisure, health, and education – it will play an exciting
part in improving Harlow for everyone.”