Press Release

Islington’s new council housing short-listed for prestigious national award

June 2009

Islington’s first new council housing in 25 years has been short-listed for a prestigious architecture ward.

The awards which are sponsored by the Department Communities and Local Government, the National House Building Council, the Royal Institute of British Architects, the Royal Town Planning Institute, the Homes and Communities Agency are known for pointing the way forward for high quality housing design.

Islington has been nominated twice for the new council housing being completed at Boleyn Road on the site of the former Boleyn Road area housing office and for Armour Close where new council housing being built on the site of former garages.

Construction work is being carried out by Mansells and the project is being supervised by Homes for Islington, who will manage the new housing when it is built.

The new buildings are designed to a high environmental specification with eco-friendly and energy saving features.

Islington Council is one of the first local authorities in London to start building new council housing again with these first two sites being completed this summer. Further housing is being developed at another three sites which are due for completion in summer 2010.

Adam Borrie, Chair of the HFI Board said: “The development of new council housing after such a long period is a big step for Islington. The recognition of the quality of the design of these new homes is a great bonus.

“It is testament to the high quality of work and the commitment of the architect’s team at HFI. It also shows the benefits that the close and effective partnership between at HFI and the Council can bring. We are looking forward to developing and managing further new housing over the coming years.”

Cllr Barbara Smith, Executive Member for Housing and Community Safety said: "Good quality home design can make a huge difference to residents' quality of life - especially with space at such a premium in Islington.

"These new build schemes have cleverly made best use of two vacant sites to create a dozen new homes for the next generation of Islington families.

"They not only look good but both schemes have high specification environmental features."

ENDS

For media enquiries please contact James Asser in the HFI communications team on 020 7527 4379 or email james.asser@homesforislington.org.uk

Notes to editors:

1. Homes for Islington, one of the UK’s largest arms length management organisations (ALMO) and is charged with managing the council housing stock throughout the borough. It is owned by Islington Council and managed by a Board of Directors, made up of Islington tenants and leaseholders, council representatives and independent members.

2. Information on the awards can be found at http://www.designforhomes.org/hda/index.html

3. The winners will be announced at a ceremony at the Banqueting Hall on 16th July.

4. Picture 1 shows the Armour Close flats in the final stages of building work.

5. This link shows an image of the design for Boleyn Road http://www.homesforislington.org.uk/New%20Council%20Housing/BoleynRoadPerspectives.pdf