Great Yarmouth's new council homes on target for June

Work continues on the construction of 18 one-bedroom homes available for council tenants in the town.

The £3m project by the southside of Beach Coach Station on Nelson Road North began last May with a special groundbreaking ceremony.

The 18 homes have been named Jubilee Court in honour of Queen Elizabeth II's 70-year reign as monarch.

Jubilee Court will contain 18 one-bedroom flats for council tenants. (Image: Sonya Duncan)

The flats, which will be 50sqm in diameter, are aimed at single people and couples without children. The interiors are said to be comfy, light and very energy efficient.

Outside, residents will have access to a private garden, wildflower meadow and onsite parking.

Housing managers and council members were shown around the development on Wednesday as the project heads towards its June deadline.

Jubilee Court in Great Yarmouth. Nicola Turner, housing director for Great Yarmouth Borough Council. (Image: Sonya Duncan)

Nicola Turner, housing director for Great Yarmouth Borough Council (GYBC), said the development has placed an emphasis on quality.

She said: "Whether it's from a design standpoint or a liveability standpoint, we have prioritised quality on this project.

Inside the ongoing development of Jubilee Court. (Image: Sonya Duncan)

"As well as a comfortable living space inside, we are also prioritising the outdoors as well.

"These 18 affordable homes were an opportunity for us to do something larger. It is somewhat unusual that this scheme exists of the same design homes, but we are trying to meet the demand of single people and couples."

Jubilee Court in Great Yarmouth. Site manager Gary Potter. (Image: Sonya Duncan)

Site manager Gary Potter has been at the Jubilee Court development since October 2022. During that time, the final timber frame was installed and the roofs have been laid.

"My task has been to ensure everything is to programme," Mr Potter said.

"And we're aiming to meet the deadline in June.

Site manager Gary Potter showing Jubilee Court to councillor Trevor Wainwright. (Image: Sonya Duncan)

"Over the next few months, we're pushing on. We're aiming to start taking the scaffolding down soon and starting with the landscaping for the garden areas.

"We'll continue fitting the windows and plumbing, and we're aiming to have the services online soon.

"It's taking shape nicely."

Chair of GYBC housing and neighbourhood committee Emma Flaxman-Taylor. (Image: Sonya Duncan)

Chair of GYBC housing and neighbourhood committee Emma Flaxman-Taylor said: "I've had a look around today and I am impressed. The size and the quality of the interiors are really good. I just can't wait for residents to move in and make this place a home.

"This development will have a big impact on the town and it will show what the council can deliver to the borough.

"This will also allow us to look at other brownfield sites and see where we can give the best support to residents."

The development of Jubilee Court has been built by Smith of Honingham and Broadland Housing.

Inside Jubilee Court, Great Yarmouth. (Image: Sonya Duncan)

Broadland Housing's development director Andrew Savage said the project will be a great benefit to Great Yarmouth.

"The people working on this development are mostly from local firms and we have tried to ensure we use manufacturing from Norfolk to keep supply chains strong.

"We have relied on a very strong network of consultants and that's what the town can really tap into."

This network was tested during the earlier stages of the project - as the Covid lockdowns had made in-person consultations almost impossible.

Andrew Savage, Broadland Housing Association's director of development. (Image: Sonya Duncan)

Mr Savage added: "I've learnt how collaboration can work in very different ways. We put our original consultation online and gave people two weeks to provide feedback.

"Traditionally, it would have taken place on one night.

"But we heard more people having their say and we feel that has greatly added to the project."

Jonathan Smith and John Smith of Smith of Honingham. (Image: Sonya Duncan)

John Smith, a director of Smiths of Honingham said: "We have managed to achieve what we wanted to do by this stage and at the moment, the project is running to schedule and we expect to meet the deadline.

"We've had a difficult six-week period due to the bad weather, but we have moved on to progressing with the insides of the homes.

"We'd like to thank Great Yarmouth Borough Council and Broadland Housing for the opportunity and we look forward to delivering these homes to the people who need them the most."