Events & News
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November 2009 Magna, the parent of Charter, is backing plans for all homes in Dorset to be carbon free from 2016. Housing Minister John Healey has announced that the UK will be the first country in the world to require this as a matter of law. All new homes will have to have better insulated walls, windows, ceilings and floors to meet proposed new energy efficiency standards. Offices, shops, hotels and warehouses will also need to be built differently, so Mr Healey has launched a consultation to gather evidence on how the zero carbon standards could be applied to non-domestic buildings from 2019. Magna, which owns and manages more than 9,000 properties across the West Country, builds new homes for rent and shared ownership through its development arm, Charter South West Limited. Development manager, Nigel Spencer, said: "As an organisation, Magna is very supportive of the Government's target to achieve and supply carbon free homes by 2016. "Currently, all our new builds across Dorset, Somerset and Devon reach Code for Sustainable Homes Level 3 on and we are now positively striving for Level 4 on all future schemes. "Zero Carbon properties will need to achieve Level 6 and so there is a little way to go to reach the target." He added: "But once new builds achieve Level 6, this will assist our customers greater because, with not as much reliance being placed on utilities and their associated costs, house prices will be slightly cheaper." Mr Healey pledged an extra £3.2 million to boost long-term research into how we design and build energy efficient homes. The research will use new technologies and materials to provide valuable evidence for future standards and how to drive down energy bills. He also announced that a new government consortium will use their combined green buying power of potentially over £10billion to boost green skills and technology, while also driving down costs. He added: "The nation must step up the UK drive on climate change and the new standards signal real momentum to change and radically re-think how we design our towns and homes for the future. ÒOne in three homes in 2050 will be built between now and then, so the new standards are necessary in order for the country to meet low carbon targets." |
October 2009 Magna Housing Group has further enhanced its commitment to customerss by speech-enabling its websites. The revolutionary service is being provided by BrowseAloud, which offers a text-to-speech solution that reads all accessible website content aloud in a high quality human sounding voice. The voice can be altered to suit the individual's specific needs and as text is read aloud, words are highlighted - a useful tool which aids literacy and comprehension. Leigh Carr, Magna's web manager, said: "Making our website more accessible to visitors who may have had problems reading content was a priority for us when planning our new sites. "This fits into Magna's commitment to offer services that are fully inclusive and reach out to all our tenants. "It made sense for us to join BrowseAloud as we are constantly striving to provide the best service possible." Magna websites provide a comprehensive range of services to its tenants and clients, some of whom require additional support when accessing online information. BrowseAloud is the ideal solution to assist those with literacy difficulties, dyslexia, mild visual impairments or where English is spoken as a second language. In the UK it is estimated that approximately 5.2 million adults (16% of the adult population) have difficulties with literacy. With the addition of BrowseAloud, visitors to all of Magna's websites will now be able to access online information with greater ease. Key features include MP3 audio output, a talking dictionary and text magnification. BrowseAloud will also read accessible HTML, PDF documents, hyperlinks and tags behind images. The Browsealoud service can be downloaded for free from any of Magna's websites. Once installed, Browsealoud will also be enabled for all other websites who use the service. |
October 2009 Work is set to begin on a new estate of 57 affordable homes in Bridport. Funding has been approved for the multi-million pound Magna Housing Association development at Flaxhayes. The site, opposite St Catherine's Primary School, will feature 37 properties for rent and 17 for shared ownership. There are also plans for three self-build homes. The rented properties are a mix of one-bedroom flats and two and three bedroom houses, while the shared ownership units will be two and three bedrooms. Magna is also providing a number of communal facilities, including a new pedestrian and cycle bridge over the River Brit, giving easy and safe access to both St Catherine's and Colfox Schools. The total development cost is more than £8m with £3.5m having come from a Homes and Communities Agency grant. Work on the scheme is expected to be completed by Easter 2011. 'We are delighted to have now had funding confirmed by the government's Homes and Communities Agency and look forward to starting on site at Flaxhayes in the very near future. 'We have worked tirelessly to deliver plans that are both sensitive to Bridport's needs and to those of residents and the community at large. 'This is an important scheme for the town and one we are proud to be involved in. This is a 100 per cent affordable housing development, something that is much-needed in Bridport.' Magna was appointed following a rigorous selection process by the Flaxhayes Stakeholders' Panel, made up of representatives from West Dorset District Council (WDDC), Bridport Town Council, Allington Parish Council and Bridport Local Area Partnership. Planning permission for the land, which was donated to Magna free of charge by WDDC, was granted in July. All properties will meet strict sustainable homes criteria, with the installation of solar water heating and rainwater flushing toilets as standard. Mr Spencer added: 'We have listened carefully to the Stakeholders' Panel and have drawn up our plans accordingly. 'A crucial element has been the provision of communal facilities and we have incorporated things such as a play area and space for allotments. 'Currently children and parents face a difficult walk to the two nearby schools, having to cut through a busy industrial estate. 'The building of the bridge over the river will help tremendously and will also encourage people to leave their cars at home, which is obviously good for the environment.' Colin Molton, South West regional director of the Homes and Communities Agency, revealed the funding is part of the recent Housing Pledge from the government to deliver affordable housing. He added: 'We recognise that present housing market conditions are very challenging for many of our commercial development partners.' |
September 2009 Residents in Bridport are set to benefit from 54 new affordable homes by June 2011, with West Dorset District Council granting planning permission for the Flaxhayes development in the town. This 100% affordable housing development will be a mixture of 1 bedroom flats and 2, 3 and 4 bedroom houses, and each will be available for affordable rent or for sale through shared ownership (with the government's NewBuild HomeBuy scheme). The scheme proposals were put forward after extensive consultations during 2008 with local people by Magna Housing Association, in conjunction with WDDC, Bridport Town Council, Allington Parish Council and Bridport Local Area Partnership. Magna would like to thank every Bridport resident who gave valuable input and feedback to the project. Magna is now awaiting approval for their bid for grant from the Homes and Communities Agency (HCA), which they hope to win by the end of this month. Initial work has begun at the site, and the main building work, which will be carried out by ISG Pearce Ltd, is set to begin in October 2009. The development will also include allotments, public open space and a pedestrian bridge over the River Brit. An area has been reserved for 3 affordable homes by the Bridport Self Build Group, and a separate planning application has been submitted. Nigel Spencer, development programme manager, says: "I, along with the stakeholders' panel, am extremely pleased that the hard work of the project team has resulted in achieving planning consent. Subject to a positive bid outcome from the Homes and Communities Agency I now look forward to seeing the main building works for the much needed affordable housing for Bridport begin." More information about the scheme is available from West Dorset District Council |
August 2009 Charter Parker beat the Housing Slump Charter Parker, is bucking the current trend for weak house sales with the sale of its first property within just a few weeks of the official launch at the Seaspray development at Bowleaze Coveway in Weymouth. Now three properties remain which are currently being marketed from £875,000. The four stunning, contemporary style properties are situated on a spacious site which affords magnificent views over Weymouth Bay to Portland and beyond, with some properties having views of the White Horse at Lackington to the rear. Jennifer Gould, business development manager for Charter, said, “This is the chance in a lifetime for someone to own an stunning property with first class views of the bay. All the properties have been finished to an extremely high standard and have the luxury that people buying at the top end of the market will expect.” A great deal of interest has been generated through recent open days which saw nearly 40 people through the doors, all admiring features such as underfloor heating and secure parking. Jennifer added, ” We’re delighted to achieve our first sale at such an early stage – in our experience, many buyers are cautious and often wait to see the finished product, but undoubtedly the location and the high quality specification and finish of these properties is an opportunity too good to miss!”
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February 2009 Multi million deal secures affordable homes This deal comes after £10 million in funding was provided by the Homes and Communities Agency (HCA) as well as an investment of £889,000 from South Somerset District Council. The joint funding has enabled the new homes, which will form part of an 820 home site off Lyde Road. Colin Molton, South West Director for the HCA said, “It is a priority for the Agency to ensure affordable homes are not delayed and that projects such as this continue as planned. It is pleasing to be in a position to unlock this project so that it could move ahead. We will be looking to unlock other important projects such as this.” The funds have been committed as part of a model which incorporates an advance payment to help fund site infrastructure works undertaken by the developer. The deal was one of the first to be funded in this way and came just prior to guidance being released by the HCA which encourages funding in this way. Head of Magna’s development arm, Charter S.W. Ltd, Mark Mabey, adds, “The project was pulled together over a very short timescale, late in 2008. It has enabled Barratt Homes to commence works to the site’s infrastructure, safe in the knowledge that both Magna and Spectrum have committed funds.” Cllr Ric Pallister, South Somerset District Council’s Portfolio Holder for Housing commented, “This is a significant success for South Somerset achieved through a major initiative which has seen a private developer, housing associations, Government and South Somerset District Council all working together to kick start our housing sector in a true partnership. This scheme will deliver desperately needed affordable housing exactly where it is most needed. “Additionally it provides a massive economic boost to South Somerset by helping to keep the building industry skills alive and maintain jobs during this recession. “We’d like to take this opportunity to congratulate Magna and Spectrum for bringing a deal to the table.” Each of the affordable homes will adhere to the Homes and Communities Agency quality standards and will be built to Code Level 3 of the Code for Sustainable Homes, which requires high environmental and quality standards. The site also includes plans for a primary school, open space parkland, play areas and its own bus route. It will be the biggest affordable housing project in the South West to date for Dorchester based Magna and Christchurch based Spectrum, which are both members of the Source Development Partnership. It will also be the first time Magna has worked with Barratt Homes. Managing Director for Barratt Homes Exeter, Tim Larner, adds, “Given the infrastructure costs this development could not have started without advance funding. This arrangement will give a boost to the local economy creating much needed construction work.” Full planning permission for the site is currently being sought and the proposed layout and look for the entire development was presented to local councillors earlier this month. Source Development Partnership was created to combine the strengths and expertise of housing associations in the South and South West and to maximise opportunities for high quality affordable housing in the local communities they operate in. Magna and Spectrum are both members of the Source Development Partnership. This project highlights the benefits of working collaboratively and quickly to secure funding. Barratt Homes is part of Barratt Developments PLC which offers two other Homebuilding brands; David Wilson Homes and Ward Homes. Homes and Communities Agency is the single, national housing and regeneration agency for England. It brings together English Partnerships, the investment functions of the Housing Corporation and the Academy for Sustainable Communities, with major delivery programmes of Communities and Local Government. Its role is to create opportunity for people to live in high quality, sustainable places. It provides funding for affordable housing, brings land back into productive use and improve quality of life by raising standards for the physical and social environment. Code Level 3 of Sustainable Homes The Code for Sustainable Homes has been developed to enable a step change in sustainable building practice for new homes. It has been prepared by the Government in close working consultation with the Building Research Establishment (BRE) and Construction Industry Research and Information Association (CIRIA), and through consultation with a Senior Steering Group consisting of Government, industry and NGO representatives. The Code is intended as a single national standard to guide industry in the design and construction of sustainable homes.
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October 2008 New development could be solution during credit crunch The credit crunch continues and even with what we hope to be a financial solution provided by the government during October, it could still be some time before the housing market is back on its feet. In East Devon the house price to earnings ratio is 14.6. House prices continue to fall but this will still be a difficult region for first time buyers to get onto the housing ladder. So, solutions to providing affordable housing to local people are essential at this time. One such solution for the people of Seaton could be a proposed housing development to the west of Harepath Road in the coastal town. Magna Housing Association are working with developers, Barkley Park Homes, to look at a development which would include 70% affordable homes, to either rent or to buy through shared ownership schemes. In preparation for the possible development Magna are hosting a consultation event where people can voice their views on the proposals. The event is being held at Seaton Town Hall on Tuesday 4th November from 2.00pm until 7.30pm and everyone is welcome. Magna Housing Association will be represented at the event by Charter (S.W.) Ltd its development company. Also attending will be representatives from Barkley Park Homes, Home2own (the agent for the government’s Newbuild Homebuy initiative) and from East Devon District Council, who will be on hand to answer any questions. |
July 2008 Allenslade, Wiveliscombe opened by Mayor Mayor of Taunton Deane, Councillor, Tim Slattery, kindly undertook the honours and officially opened Magna West Somerset Housing Association’s (MWS) 20 new homes at Allenslade in Wiveliscombe this Friday (11th July). Many guests took the opportunity to view this attractive development which consists of 13 homes for rent and 7 under shared ownership scheme. The latter providing an all important opportunity for local people to get on the home ownership ladder. MWS worked closely with the Local Parish and District Councillors throughout the project which has since been assessed under the Eco Homes scheme and achieved an Excellent rating. Timberframed construction along with additional insulation, hardwood windows, a solar powered hot water system and low energy lighting all went towards achieving this accreditation. Councillor Slattery said, “This project clearly demonstrates another excellent example of partnership working between Magna West Somerset and Taunton Deane Borough Council, working together to make a real difference to people’s lives. “This is an excellent way in which to celebrate Magna West Somerset’s 10th anniversary and bodes well for the next 10 years.” |
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Events
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