News from Harlow Council - Staple Tye housing regeneration moves forward


HARLOW Council is moving forward with plans to build more than 200 new homes and carry out energy saving improvements to nearly 80 Council houses in five housing estates in Staple Tye.

The plans for Barley Croft, Lower Meadow, the Briars, Copshall Close and Aylets Field housing estates, which have been put together with the input of residents, are:

·The phased redevelopment of the central part of the Briars, Copshall Close and Aylets Field. Two hundred and fourteen existing bungalows will be demolished in small groups and new replacement homes built within a new layout and improved open spaces. Using this approach will mean many residents will be able to move straight from their current home to their new one, without having to leave the estate should they wish to remain living in the same area.

·To upgrade 79 Council houses in Barley Croft and Lower Meadow and work with homeowners to support them in finding options for financing improvement works.  Upgrade works could include external cladding, insulation, installing energy efficient heating systems, improving roofs, and updating windows to make homes warmer.  These plans also include a small amount of new housing on the estates and reconfiguring garages, parking and open spaces.  

Letters are currently being sent outto inform residents of the latest news as the Council reaches the next stage in the development process.

The Council will now appoint an architect/specialist company to work with residents to agree the requirements of the new estates. As part of the normal process the Council will shortly be issuing an initial demolition notice on the bungalows at the Briars, Copshall Close and Aylets Field.

In addition, a surveyor will be appointed to look at a proportion of homes across Barley Croft and Lower Meadow to see what needs to be done to bring these homes up to the Government's Decent Homes Standard. Further work is being undertaken to find out what support could be offered to owner occupiers on the estates to enable them to upgrade their properties should they wish so.

Councillor Andrew Johnson, Council Leader, said: "We are committed to keeping residents up to date with the plans.  We understand that this maybe a worrying time for residents but we will continue to work closely with them as the plans move forward. The plans have been shaped around the needs of local residents and our priority has always been to provide them with a high standard warmer home in an attractive and safe place.

"Residents from the Briars, Copshall Close and Aylets Field should not be alarmed by the reference in their letters to the initial demolition notice on the bungalows. This is to give residents the maximum notice and is a normal part of the process. It will not affect the timing of the redevelopment. No homes will be demolished before 2013."

Residents from the estates who have any questions or concerns can contact Sarah Swan on (01279) 446449 or email: sarah.swan@harlow.gov.uk

Spread The Word