FOR the first time in over 25 years, Thurrock will be building its own council homes.
The council’s ambitious hopes for Project Enterprise, which included this bid. were announced by Cllr Tunde Ojetola, portfolio holder for Housing, late last year and on Monday (12 January), the Government announced this bid had been successful.
The plan is to build around 15 one- and two-bedroomed flats on a derelict garage site in Oxwich Close, Corringham at an estimated cost of approximately £2.4 million — over £1 million of which comes from the Government.
Work is expected to start on the site later this year and aim to be completed in March 2011.
Cllr Ojetola said: “This is great news. This is the first time in a quarter of a century that Thurrock Council is building its own homes and they’ll be really energy efficient homes too.
“They will be designed to make at least a 44 per cent reduction in CO2 emissions compared to the standard national building regulations.”
He added: “Thurrock, like authorities across the nation, has a large housing waiting list and this will help our residents have their own homes.
“These will be genuine council homes, with people paying rent to the council.”
Thurrock is seeking a construction partner for the scheme which will also have to receive planning permission before it can go ahead.
Cllr Ojetola also said that the council would be intending to ask the company which wins the construction tender to offer two Apprenticeship Scheme places as part of the development.
