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Groundbreaking housing programme moves forward

Published: 13/05/2015

Flintshire’s groundbreaking housing and regeneration programme – which will see new Council homes and affordable housing being built in the County – will take a major step forward at Cabinet on Tuesday (19 May). Flintshire’s ambitious Strategic Housing and Regeneration Programme (SHARP) aims to build 500 new homes across the County over the next five years - among them will be approximately 200 Council Homes. The next stage is to appoint a development partner for the project and, at Tuesday’s Cabinet meeting, the preferred bidder will be announced. This will mark the final stages of a major procurement process. The preferred bidder will be the company who achieved the highest score during the procurement process; the company who achieved the second highest score will be appointed as the reserve bidder. Cabinet approval will then allow the procurement process to be finalised and completed, with the winning bidder expected to be announced shortly. Once the contract is awarded, and a development partner in place, the SHARP programme will start with the redevelopment of three sites – two urban and one rural. These are the cleared sites of the maisonettes in Flint with a mix of approximately 95 houses and apartments, the cleared site of the former Custom House School in Connah’s Quay, and a rural site in Leeswood. Bidders have also based their proposals on a Flintshire Housing Standard which has been developed in consultation with tenants. The Standard will inform the design and specification of the proposed new housing, including the consistency and good quality of the internal and external appearance, and standards of energy efficiency, as well as the importance of adequate parking. Councillor Helen Brown, Cabinet Member for Housing said: It is very exciting to see the SHARP programme progressing so well. We are now extremely close to appointing a development partner, who will work with the Council in our goal to provide new and much needed affordable housing across the County. Councillor Aaron Shotton, Leader of the Council said: The SHARP programme will deliver upon this Councils priorities to provide new Council homes and affordable housing for the people of Flintshire. Not only will it deliver 500 new homes, but it will also lead to a range of linked regeneration initiatives and community benefits, as well as local work and training opportunities.