Tenants to move into six new council homes in Gorleston as construction is complete

The borough council delivered the homes in partnership with developer Equinox Enterprises Ltd to support one of the council's priorities, which is to work towards an attractive mix of good quality housing that is fit for purpose for all, and meets both the borough's existing and future needs.

Following 10 months of construction works, representatives of the council and Equinox, together with builders Wellington, gathered on-site to celebrate the completion of the development, which has been named Robinson Close, after Robinson College, Cambridge, following the college theme of the estate.

The development, on the former housing repairs depot, off Hertford Way, comprises two one-bedroom flats, two two-bedroom semi-detached houses and two three-bedroom semi-detached houses, in addition to on-site car parking and soft landscaping.

As part of its commitment to supporting local jobs, the borough council required under the construction contract with Wellington that a work experience opportunity was offered to a local unemployed person, and that an apprentice was also employed on the project.

Following a recruitment process with Jobcentre Plus, co-ordinated through the council's Neighbourhoods that Work Project, Gorleston resident Patrick Bell was offered a 13-week work experience placement. This led to Wellington offering him a job as a labourer, which will see him work on other construction projects in the area.

In addition, Scott Bullen, who grew up on the Magdalen Estate, was employed as a bricklaying apprentice on the project.

Cllr Andy Grant, chairman of the housing and neighbourhoods committee, said: "The whole community has been watching this development take shape over the months and I've pleased that this once-redundant space has been replaced with six fantastic new homes for our tenants.

"We anticipate that this is the first of several small-scale council house developments over the coming years, as the council is continuing to explore other potential sites across the borough to help meet local housing needs.

"These properties will be allocated through the Housing Options service and I look forward to the tenants moving in over the coming weeks. It is also great that local people have had the opportunity to be involved in the construction, with one unemployed person even finding a job as a result."

Simon George, chairman of Equinox Enterprises Ltd, said: "We have worked in close partnership with the borough council to bring forward this high quality, sympathetically-planned development, and I am pleased to see that everything has come to fruition, with tenants soon moving in. We look forward to continuing to work closely with the borough council and other partners on this and future projects."

Paul Pitcher, of Wellington, said: "We are delighted to have been involved in the delivery of the new housing and it has been a pleasure working with Equinox and the council once again. All involved with the project should be proud with the properties and that the contract has yielded full time employment for Patrick and started Scott off on his bricklaying career."