Thumbs Up For Ramsden

7.42.14pm UTC (GMT +0000) Fri 7th May 2004

Simon Hughes and Chris Maines visited the new housing development at Orpington's Ramsden Estate. Simon Hughes wants to provide quality homes for all.

A visit by Simon Hughes, Liberal Democrat London Mayoral candidate, to Orpington's Ramsden estate coincided with an announcement that the estate is to benefit from an extra £2.6 million Government grant towards regeneration.

Mr Hughes was visiting phase one of the regeneration, the building of 95 new homes in Tintagel Road, the day after Broomleigh Housing Association and Bromley Council heard that Government funding would be available to secure phase two.

"Providing affordable housing is one of my top priorities." said the Mayoral candidate, "the cost of housing in the Orpington is becoming way beyond the grasp of many local people. Key workers and their families need good quality homes." Mr Hughes added.

Simon Hughes, together with local Liberal Democrat Councillor Chris Maines, was shown the mixture of houses and flats which will be ready in the summer for residents to move into. The development of 26 houses and 69 flats was started in March 2003, many existing Ramsden residents are being decanted from poorly designed blocks which will be demolition in future phases.

Cllr Chris Maines, a Councillor for the Ramsden area, said "The regeneration of Ramsden has been a long time in coming, now that many residents have been asked to choose their own kitchen and colour schemes, the dream is becoming a reality."

"The families being rehoused on Ramsden are really excited and are giving the development the "Thumbs up", claimed Cllr Maines.

Simon Hughes welcomed the funding for phase two "This development is creating a balanced community; family homes, properties for wheelchair users, homes for sale and for rent. It needs to be replicated across London to ensure we can house all the workers that a vibrant City needs."

The master plan for the Ramsden regeneration has outline planning approval for 322 new homes. Funding for the initial phase had been agreed by Bromley Council but changes in the social housing grant put further phases in jeopardy. The announcement of £2.67 million will secure phase 2, which includes 53 new properties. There are a total of six phases envisaged to transform the 1960's estate, which had inadequate insulation, a lack of security measures, play facilities, parking and was considered difficult to manage.