Grand Union Housing Group opens prestigious scheme in Bedford

Leading east of England social housing provider, Grand Union Housing Group (GUHG), in partnership with VE Parrott (Oakley) Ltd, has built a prestigious development within Bedford town centre. GUHG developed this scheme for its subsidiary organisation, Aragon Housing Association.

Kingsway House has a high-profile position at the gateway of the redevelopment of Bedford town centre and is a leading regeneration project which will accommodate NHS key workers from the local Bedford hospital.

The five-storey building provides a total of 33 flats, with six one-bedroom flats for social rent, and 23 one-bedroom and four two-bedroom flats for intermediate rent by NHS key workers which is helping to meet the demand for key worker accommodation in the area. It is hoped that the newly built units will aid recruitment and retention of doctors undertaking training at Bedford Hospital.

GUHG secured £1,040,000 grant funding from the Housing Corporation for the development. The total scheme cost was £3 million. Key worker rents are £352 per month for a one-bedroom flat and £450 per month for a two-bedroom flat (excluding service charges). Social rent level for the one-bed general needs flats is £55.10 per week.

Frank Branston, The Mayor of Bedford, officially opened the scheme on Tuesday 29 July 2008. Also in attendance were Alan Humphreys, Group Chief Executive of Grand Union Housing Group, Melvyn Parrott, Chairman of VE Parrott (Oakley) Ltd and Ian Stoneham, Director of Corporate Services for Bedford Hospital.

On opening the scheme, Frank Branston said:

“I am pleased to see this development come to fruition. It is one of a number of major developments completed in Bedford over the last six years and is an important part of the Council’s plans to revitalise the town. There has never been a more exciting time to do business in Bedford and we are delighted to be working in partnership with Grand Union Housing Group to deliver this high quality affordable housing scheme.”

Melvyn Parrott thanked all who had worked on the project and concluded:

“Our team at Parrott’s worked extremely hard on this contract and I thank them all for their efforts. I hope the residents that move in will appreciate our efforts and enjoy this fabulous facility.”

Ian Stoneham ended the speeches with:

“It is very important to provide accommodation in order to attract the best doctors to Bedford. This accommodation is ideal for that purpose and I would like to thank everyone involved on behalf of the staff at Bedford hospital.” 

Speaking beforehand, Bedford Hospital Chief Executive, Jean O’Callaghan, said: “Kingsway House will provide high-quality, central accommodation for junior doctors and nursing staff working and training at Bedford Hospital. I would like to thank all those who have been involved in this development project, and look forward to hearing positive feedback about the flats from our new intake of medical staff next month.”

The site was originally brought to Aragon’s attention in 2004 by the St John’s Charitable Trust, who own this and a number of other properties in this area. The Trust were keen to redevelop the site to safeguard their future income but were not in a position to take on board the development themselves. The site had previously accommodated an underutilised commercial property let at a minimum rent to a charity.

The scheme is GUHG’s first development to include the provision of a renewable energy source, receiving an EcoHomes rating of ‘excellent’.

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