Approval for the disposal of three sites in the Royal Borough of Greenwich to Meridian Home Start Ltd, in order to build new affordable housing in the borough, was given at the Council's Cabinet meeting on 19 April.

Meridian Home Start

Meridian Home Start is a Community Benefit Society and fully independent of the Council. Unlike the local authority, Meridian is free from the restrictions on borrowing imposed by the government and is able to maximise the opportunity to utilise Right To Buy receipts in the borough.

This new initiative, together with other initiatives such as the Council's own Local Authority New Build programme, represents a significant opportunity for the Royal Borough to achieve its objective of increasing the supply of affordable housing in the borough.

Three sites will be transferred initially to MHS who will begin work on building just over 200 new affordable homes across the six sites, with rent levels to be set at or below 65 per cent local market rent levels.

A further three sites will be transferred at a later stage, once the first three sites are complete.

Sites where the homes will be built

The initial sites are:

• Rochester Way Social Club, SE9: Planning consent has been secured to provide 10 x 3-bed units; 15 x 2-bed units and 4 x 1-bed units and retention of a social facility
• Sandpits Place Day Centre, SE7 (the site of a former council day centre): the site is proposed (subject to planning and final designs) to deliver 2 x 1-bed units, 30 x 2-bed units with 4 of those with wheelchair accessible units
• Carnbrook, SE3: The site comprises of three separate sections of the Council's Carnbrook depot and an old area office, a garage block and the former Orchard Youth Club. The site is proposed (subject to planning and final designs) to deliver: 1 x 1-bed unit, 22 x 2-bed units and 10 x 3-bed units.

'Much-needed new homes for local residents'

Councillor Denise Hyland, Leader of the Royal Borough of Greenwich, said: "Quality, affordable housing is in scarce supply in the capital and I am delighted that the transfer of these sites will enable new affordable housing to be built in Royal Greenwich. This is an ambitious plan to bring more than 200 much-needed new homes for local residents and I look forward to seeing the first being completed and families moving in."

'First phase of a 750 homes programme'

Richard Reynolds, Chair of Meridian Home Start Ltd, said: "The team at MHS are delighted to be working in close partnership with the Royal Borough of Greenwich on this new and innovative sub-market PRS initiative providing much needed affordable homes to residents within the Royal Borough boundary. We expect this to be the first phase of a 750 homes programme."