WOKINGHAM Borough Council’s flagship regeneration scheme has reached a symbolic and significant milestone.
The first set of bricks for new houses in Phase 2A at Gorse Ride, Finchampstead, were laid by Borough Mayor Caroline Smith and executive members for housing Cllr Stephen Conway.
In an event also attended by representatives from the council, contractor Wates and Gorse Ride steering group Matt Sales, the Mayor and Cllr Conway cemented the first set of bricks to the blockwork.
Work will now begin to lay the rest of the bricks and build the group floor blockwork for the first 16 new homes.
Borough Mayor Cllr Caroline Smith said: “It is great to see work progressing at Phase 2A of the regeneration of Gorse Ride to build the first set of new homes.
“These new homes will offer a great place for our residents and their families to live, learn, work and grow.”
Executive member for housing Cllr Stephen Conway added: “This is a very exciting stage of the regeneration project as the initial blockwork and foundations are built for the first 16 new homes.
“We can already see the ground floor rooms, such as the kitchen, living dining area and cloakroom, taking shape. The brickwork and ground floor work will now start and soon we will see these new homes in their glory.”
Wates has been on-site since October carrying out enabling works which include: trenching for new drainage and infrastructure for services, levelling the ground, digging and building the foundations up to the damp proof course level and pouring the foundations.
Lee Bushell, regional director of Wates Residential, said: “The work we are doing here at Gorse Ride is laying the foundations of the comfortable, energy efficient homes that will serve the Gorse Ride community for many years to come.”
The Gorse Ride regeneration is one of the council’s flagship housing projects, which will see 249 modern homes built on the site, 74% of which will be affordable homes to meet growing demand.
Four properties will also be designed to be wheelchair accessible with level access to shower facilities.
Sustainability has been at the heart of plans for the new homes, all of which have been designed to be energy efficient with high levels of insulation and low carbon innovations.
The phased regeneration at Gorse Ride will take place over many years, with the council committed to working closely with the community throughout the second phase to ensure the new properties are delivered with as little disruption as possible.
