Ground breaking: regeneration work starts at Gorse Ride
Ground breaking: regeneration work starts at Gorse Ride
Wokingham Borough Council and appointed contractor, Wates, reached a milestone as they broke ground on the affordable housing regeneration scheme at Gorse Ride in Finchampstead
The event was attended by executive member for housing Cllr Stephen Conway, Wates Residential and Chair of the Gorse Ride community steering group Steve Bowers. Cllr Conway initiated the project’s milestone by breaking the ground with a ceremonial spade.
Wates will be on site for 36 weeks progressing with the enabling works which include trenching for new drainage and infrastructure for services, levelling the ground, digging and building foundations up to the damp proof course level. Works will also start to form the new roads.
I am delighted ground works have officially begun as the regeneration continues Phase 2A of the project. Our housing regeneration scheme will see affordable homes built for the future with sustainability in mind. This includes high levels of insulation and low carbon innovations to help residents heat their homes efficiently, helping to tackle the fuel poverty crisis whilst also reducing the borough’s carbon footprint.
We are proud to be working with Wates on this ambitious project and are committed to providing the right homes at the right places for generations to come. We will also be supporting people with additional needs by creating accessible solutions inside their new homes to ensure that they can live independently. We will continue to work closely with Gorse Ride residents to ensure smooth relocations and delivery of new properties with as little disruption as possible.”
Cllr Stephen Conway
Executive member for housing
Wates Residential is pleased to be celebrating this important step that marks progress for the Gorse Ride community. This regeneration project will not only lead to the delivery of new affordable homes, but also benefit the local community by promoting opportunities for employment and economic growth to create a brighter future for residents.”
Lee Bushell
Operations Director, Wates Residential
It is great to see the project get to this point and the people in Gorse Ride are going to get the new homes they so badly need.”
Steve Bowers
Chair of the community steering group
The project will see 249 new modern homes built on site which includes an incredible 74% of affordable homes to meet growing local demand. Four properties will be designed to accommodate the needs of people moving into the regenerated new homes for example wheelchair accessible with level access to shower facilities.
The phased regeneration at Gorse Ride will take place over many years, transforming the community into a place local people can be proud to live, work, grow and study.
