Cooper hails ‘benchmark’ Hackney scheme

                        Housing minister Yvette Cooper last night hailed a “benchmark for housing in urban areas” at the launch of the prototype scheme for a government drive to build 4,500 privately funded affordable homes in London.   Cooper, speaking at the opening of Adelaide Wharf, Hackney which was developed by urban regeneration specialist First Base in partnership with landowner English Partnerships, said: “The scheme exemplifies the benefits of partnership and collaboration setting the benchmark for future schemes in how to deliver key worker housing that is both beautiful inside and outside.”   The scheme comprises 147 homes, including 50% affordable homes, with 41 key worker homes and 33 social for rent run by social landlord Family Mosaic.   The first key worker homes for sale are available from £112,000. The project is the first completed as part of the government’s London Wide Initiative.   Alongside Countryside Properties and Barratt Homes-led teams, First Base was one of three consortia chosen in 2004 to deliver the homes on 16 English Partnerships-owned brownfield sites.   Lend Lease-backed First Base has used commercial development techniques to reduce overall construction costs by 20% and reduce the delivery time for the project by 20%.   Stephen Oakes, director for English Partnerships, said it would the project would be the model for a host of similar partnership arrangements with the private sector.   “Local authorities such as Hackney and Tower Hamlets are using the model as the basis for getting the most out of their land”, he said.   As part of the London Wide Initiative, First Base is proposing Printworks, a nine-storey, 164-home block designed by architect Glenn Howells, located on Amelia Street in Elephant & Castle, SE17, and providing 42% affordable housing.   It is also proposing a 128-home scheme on the former London Taxi showroom site at 52 Holloway Road, N7, in Islington, providing 50% affordable housing.   paul.norman@rbi.co.uk