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2009
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April 2009
> HOUSING MINISTER THE RT HON MARGARET BECKETT PRAISES NEW HOUSING DEVELOPMENTS IN KESWICK
A brand new development of homes by Derwent & Solway Housing Association, a member of Harvest Housing Group, was deemed ‘exceptional’ by the Rt Hon Margaret Beckett, Minister for Housing and Planning on Thursday 26 March, during a visit to the Cumbrian town of Keswick.
The Minister visited three progressive, affordable developments by the Housing Association: Netherfield, Derwent Close and Greta Court. Combined they will provide a total of 129 new homes for the town and represent an investment of £15m by Derwent & Solway.
Before visiting the three new development sites, Mrs Beckett was welcomed by Ian Perry, Chief Executive of Harvest Housing Group, Robert Porter, Director of Derwent & Solway Housing Association and Deborah McLaughlin, Regional Director for the North West at the Homes and Communities Agency and spoke to attendees about the need for such initiatives to help tackle the housing problems many rural communities are currently facing.
The Netherfield development is being heralded as the most important new development of social housing in Keswick for at least 20 years, tackling the shortage of affordable housing in the area.
Netherfield will provide modern 21st century designs, including timber-framed constructions and renewable sources in their heating or hot water systems.
Derwent Close is an existing sheltered development of 20 bed-sits and Derwent & Solway has secured funding from the Homes and Communities Agency to re-develop the site providing 27 high quality apartments aimed at the over 55s.
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Additionally, early plans are in place to re-develop the already existing Greta Court into up to 60 apartments in the future.
During the visit the Minister witnessed how the delivery of affordable housing solutions in Keswick delivers Harvest's vision of "turning homes and neighbourhoods into places where people want to live and choose to stay", and in creating sustainable communities and the close involvement with local bodies and agencies.
Mrs Beckett also unveiled a montage of artwork recently produced by pupils at St Herbert's Primary School who were involved in the naming of the neighbouring Netherfield housing development.