Colchester City Council and Colchester Borough Homes (CBH) are proud to announce their recent success at the Essex Housing Awards 2024, where they were named winners in the Small Housing Schemes category for the Silver Band Close development in Boxted. This award celebrates the outstanding achievements of the council and CBH in providing high-quality, accessible, and sustainable social housing to meet the diverse needs of the local Colchester community.
The Silver Band Close development, an exemplary project of seven homes, was recognised for its innovative approach to creating accessible housing. The site includes a four-bedroom wheelchair-accessible bungalow, two two-bedroom wheelchair-accessible bungalows, two one-bedroom level-access maisonettes, and two one-bedroom first-floor maisonettes. The site was designed with the local community in mind, helping to support local residents while also addressing broader housing needs within Colchester. This development further helps to free up larger family homes in the area by providing accessible options for residents looking to downsize.
The award underscores the council’s commitment to enhancing the availability of affordable, energy-efficient homes in line with the council’s pledge to deliver 350 new council-owned properties by the end of 2024. In addition to fulfilling the housing needs of Colchester’s residents, these properties align with the Future Homes Standard, featuring environmentally sustainable measures such as air-source heat pumps, double glazing, LED lighting, and enhanced insulation, all supported by grant funding from Homes England and the council’s Housing Revenue Account.
Cllr Paul Smith, Portfolio Holder for Housing, said: “Winning the Small Housing Schemes award is an incredible achievement that reflects the hard work, dedication, and commitment of everyone involved. The Silver Band Close development stands as a shining example of what can be accomplished when we work together to provide high-quality, accessible housing solutions for our local community. These homes not only address urgent housing needs but also align with our climate goals by incorporating energy-efficient features that benefit both residents and the environment.”
Philip Sullivan, Chief Executive of Colchester Borough Homes, added: “We are thrilled to see Silver Band Close receive the recognition it deserves. This development truly embodies the values of CBH and Colchester City Council, demonstrating how we can meet the unique needs of our community through thoughtful design and careful collaboration. It’s fantastic to be able to contribute to a project that makes a meaningful difference in people’s lives, and we are excited to build on this success in the future.”
The Essex Housing Awards, in association with Birketts LLP, celebrate excellence in the housing sector by recognising projects and individuals that make significant contributions to the housing landscape in Essex. This year’s awards, held on 7 November, received an impressive number of entries, showcasing the dedication and impact of housing organisations across the county.
Pictured above, L to R: the awards host; Chris Wait (CBH); Mark Wicks (CBH); Karen Paton (CCC); Hayley Caunt (CBH), and Kate Dale (CBH).
Page last reviewed: 11 November 2024