General Enquiries:
Great Yarmouth Borough Council
Town Hall
Hall Plain
Great Yarmouth.
NR30 2QF.

Tel:
01493 856100

E-mail:
enquiries@great-yarmouth.gov.uk

IR7

2 February 2006

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE


In an area where the average house price is almost nine times that of the average income, the region’s key workers are finding it increasingly difficult to enter the housing market or find affordable housing for rent. As a result, public sector employers are experiencing problems in attracting and retaining the right staff, but thanks to an exciting new housing development completing in March, a much needed solution is just around the corner.

Situated in one of Great Yarmouth’s prime riverside locations, 18 new and four tastefully refurbished one and two bedroom apartments, will offer the first key worker homes delivered in the town, enabling frontline public sector staff , including those working in the emergency, education, health, prison and probation services, the opportunity to live and work locally.

This £2 million development, the result of a partnership project between Flagship Homes, Great Yarmouth Borough Council and the Housing Corporation, will be available for intermediate renting through the Government’s ‘Key Worker Living’ Programme, allowing eligible applicants to take advantage of discounts of up to 20% of local market rents.

Rick Townsend, a 21 year old home officer and retained fire fighter, is currently living at home with his parents in Great Yarmouth. For Rick, working shifts and commuting to Norwich every day makes the Riverside Apartments an ideal place to live, with the railway station within walking distance. He has signed up for a penthouse apartment and is very excited about moving in.

“I’m at that age where I want to come home after a stressful day and have my own space. You go to work to get your own house but with prices as they are, you just can’t afford to do that. I am really pleased with the superb location, the manageable size, and with the covered balcony; even if it rains, I can still step out for some fresh air!”

Each apartment within the five storey building has its individual layout complete with fitted carpets and tumble dryer. Many have balconies, and some enjoy sensational views over the River Yare.

The riverside apartments, which are located on the A1243 Pasteur Road (by the Haven Bridge), will be open to the public on Friday 10^th February between 10am and 4pm where Flagship’s specialist sales team will be available to conduct viewings, and discuss the scheme and eligibility criteria in more detail.

For more information on Key Worker housing, please contact Debbie Pryke at Flagship Homes on 01603 255401.

For more information, please contact:

Debbie Pryke
Property Manager
Flagship Homes
Tel: 01603 255401
www.flagship-housing.co.ukor

Sue Starling
PR Manager
Flagship Housing Group
Tel: 01603 255427