News

Shadow Minister for Communities to visit Redditch to see co-operative approach

The Shadow Minister for Communities and Local Government Jack Dromey MP will visit Redditch tomorrow (Thursday, 23 February) to see how co-operative housing is benefitting local people.

Redditch Co-operative Homes works with five housing co-operatives, made up of more than 300 properties, in Redditch where residents manage their homes and neighbourhoods themselves.

Co-operative residents manage all aspects of their homes, from choosing contractors to carry out repairs and maintenance to organising events and activities in their neighbourhoods.

Jack Dromey MP will visit Walton Close tomorrow at 3.30pm to talk to residents there about the benefits of living in a co-operative. Walton Close boasts 19 low carbon timber homes and was build by Redditch Co-operative Homes and the Accord Group of housing associations in 2009.

As part of his visit, Mr Dromey will also see plans for a major low carbon housing development being built by Redditch Co-operative Homes on the site of the former Marlfield School.

The £8m development will be the largest Norwegian timber frame housing development in the UK and will boast 79 homes made out of panels imported from Norway.

Carl Taylor, Director of Redditch Co-operative Homes, said: “We are delighted to welcome Jack Dromey to Redditch to show him the benefits of co-operative housing and plans for our latest housing co-operative.

“Marlfield will not only create vital affordable housing for local people but it will be run as a co-operative, meaning that residents take the lead in managing their own homes and neighbourhood.

“We think that co-operatives are the way forward to meet the country’s future housing need and evidence suggests that those who live in them feel a strong sense of community spirit, so it’s fantastic to be able to showcase this development to Mr Dromey.”

Jack Dromey MP said: “Redditch Cooperative Homes have been in the forefront of pioneering new ways of meeting housing need. At a time when house building is at its second lowest level since 1945 it’s important to see how housing can be provided in the future.

“Co-operative housing is an exciting model which will play its part, giving tenants the power to manage their homes and build the neighbourhoods they want. I am looking forward to seeing the Redditch Co-operative Homes team and the residents living in their homes."