The Royal Borough of Windsor & Maidenhead has broken ground to officially mark the start of construction on its 100% affordable housing scheme in Maidenhead.
The £4m council investment, at 20 Ray Mill Road West, will provide 14 one- and two-bedroom flats. The council’s Property Company is delivering the scheme on behalf of the authority.
Representatives of the Royal Borough, its Property Company, construction contractor Helix, scheme architect and technical consultant gathered on the cleared site recently to celebrate construction work getting underway, which is anticipated to be complete by autumn 2024.
Councillor Adam Bermange, Cabinet Member for Planning, Legal and Asset Management, said: “I think everyone recognises that our borough is affected by a local housing market that presents a significant barrier to those on lower incomes and young people trying to buy or rent.
“Whilst this scheme is relatively small and we know some homes labelled ‘affordable’ may remain out of reach for some, this, nevertheless, demonstrates one way the council can work proactively towards addressing the housing challenge and needs locally.
“By retaining and investing in our own assets to deliver affordable properties of different tenures and sizes, we also generate a much-needed future income stream. Importantly, it also brings a vacant brownfield site back into a beneficial use within the community.
“This is the first such scheme being delivered through the council’s Property Company, which is currently exploring other council-owned sites for their potential for similar smaller-sized schemes, from which we are particularly keen to see more social rent homes delivered.
“The start of construction is an exciting milestone but I most look forward to seeing the development completed so people can move into their new homes.”
Jon Scofield, Construction Director at Helix, added: “As our first project working with the Royal Borough, we’re delighted to be starting construction on the delivery of much-needed affordable homes for the community.
“This milestone is just the start of this journey to delivering high quality homes and we look forward to continuing to build our partnership with the Royal Borough and our partner organisations across the duration of this project and beyond.”
