Ground breaking ceremony at Miller Road Project, Banbury

Date: 26 November 2010

The ground breaking ceremony for the Miller Road Project will take place on Friday 26th November 2010 at 3pm. The Ceremony will be performed by Tony Baldry MP who will break the ground using a mechanical digger.

The Miller Road Project is a unique project to provide housing for local young people and training opportunities for young people currently not in education, employment or training (NEET). The Miller Road Project is run a partnership of Cherwell District Council, Southwark Habitat for Humanity, Oxford & Cherwell Valley College (OCVC), Connexions and Sanctuary Group. The scheme has attracted funding from a variety of sources including the Homes and Communities Agency [HCA] which has granted £520,000 from the National Affordable Housing Programme, Local Area Agreement Reward Grant of £162,000, Cherwell District Council £72,000, and £500,000 of private finance raised by Sanctuary Group.

The homes (10 x 1 bedroom maisonettes) will be built with a mixture of skilled sub-contractors and young people, who will work towards a national Open College Network Level 1 Award with a tutor from OCVC and a life skills coach/mentor from Connexions. When completed the homes will be sold to Sanctuary Group and let by Charter Community Housing via a nominations policy to local young people in housing need.

The first cohort of ten young people has started on site and will complete their training in June. The second cohort will then start and complete in December 2011. Southwark Habitat for Humanity will manage the site and ensure that high quality training opportunities are provided within the construction process.

Nominations for the scheme will be to local young people who are in housing need. The young people who take part in the Miller Road Project will not be considered for a property unless they are in housing need and in work, education or training. If they fulfil this criteria, then they are able to apply via Cherwell District Council's existing allocations policy.

Cllr Councillor Keith Strangwood, Cherwell District Council ward member for Banbury's Ruscote ward, said: "This scheme will give two groups of young people a chance to learn skills which could be of value to them for the rest of their lives. "I have already met one of the groups – eight young men and two young women – who are signed up and eager to get working.

"This kind of initiative shows that most of today's young people do recognise the need for hard work if they wish to succeed."

Ken Glendinning, head of area at the HCA, said: "This is an excellent project that will build skills and confidence in these young people as well as new and affordable homes for the community. I'm delighted that the HCA has been able to support our partners in getting this project off the ground."

Approved quotes from Oxford & Cherwell Valley College students taking part in the Miller Road Project:

17 year-old Nathan Bowell says; "I didn't have much of an idea what I wanted to do future, but I really like working with my hands. The Miller Road Project has given me the chance to do this and learn some construction skills. I'm hoping the course give me a better idea of the sort of work I'd like to do – and even help me to get a job."

18 year-old Joe Woodall from Bretch Hill, Banbury says; "I wasn't going to college or working when I heard about the Miller Road Project. It's given me something to focus on and is a good opportunity for me to get into the building trade. My aim in life is to be earning a good wage, so I'm hoping to get job in construction after I've finished this course".

16 year-old Richard York from Bretch Hill, Banbury says; "I really want to become a scaffolder, so I'm pleased that we'll be learning that as part of the course."

Susan Simmonds, Chief Executive of Southwark Habitat for Humanity says: "This is a project which will not only provide high quality homes for local young people, but also training opportunities in construction skills. We are grateful for the support of Cherwell District Council who has had the vision and the resolve to take this innovative scheme forward. It simply would not have happened without their support in putting together a strong partnership of organisations."

Lesley Donoghue, Acting Principal of Oxford & Cherwell Valley College says: "The Miller Road project is a fantastic opportunity for these young people who may not otherwise be in education or working. The vocational learning on offer is a huge boost to their future prospects. It provides valuable, real-life experience of the world of work as well as the chance to gain specific skills and qualifications that could lead to a job. I am sure they will also be motivated by knowing they are involved in a project that is making a positive contribution to their local community."

Harj Lota, Managing Director, Charter Community Housing said: "Building homes is about more than just bricks and mortar - it is about creating opportunities for local people and helping them achieve their full potential."

"As well as addressing the very real need for more affordable homes in Banbury, the Miller Road project will provide valuable training and employment opportunities which will help empower young people and enable the community to thrive."

Ends

Media Information

All media representatives will be required to have a health and safety briefing before coming onto the site. SHfH will provide high viz vests and site hats. Please bring protective boots to the site. Please confirm your attendance with Susan Simmonds on 07792 069 192.

The Miller Road Project is at the Old Allotment site 33 Miller Road, Banbury, OX16 0QX.

Interviews will be available with representatives of all the partner organisations taking part; early bids are appreciated.

Notes to Editors and Media Contacts

Tony Baldry MP for North Oxfordshire, will lead the ground breaking at 3pm. There will then be the opportunity for photographs with representatives of othver organisations. Short speeches will take place at Ruscote Methodist Church, The Fairways, after the site ceremony, where light refreshments will be served. The media are invited to the speeches.

Funding for the scheme is via the HCA. "The Homes and Communities Agency (HCA) is the single, national housing and regeneration delivery agency for England. Our vision is to create opportunity for people to live in homes they can afford in places they want to live, by enabling local authorities and communities to deliver the ambition they have for their own areas." For more information visit www.homesandcommunities.co.uk/newsevent

Tim Abbott, Communications Manager, South East Homes and Communities Agency Tel: 0118 902 8441 Mob: 07920 835598

Craig Forsyth, Communications Officer craig.forsyth@cherwell-dc.gov.uk 01295 221639

Georgia Veats, PR and Communications Consultant, gveats@ocvc.ac.uk Oxford & Cherwell Valley College, Oxpens Road, Oxford OX1 1SA Tel: 01865 551 885

Chris Heal, PR Officer, Sanctuary Housing chris.heal@sanctuary-housing.co.uk Tel: 01392 813 431 for Charter Community Housing

Susan Simmonds, Chief Executive, Southwark Habitat for Humanity, susan.simmonds@shfh.org.uk 07792 069 192