Orchard Village
| Orchard Village | |
|---|---|
| Location | London, England |
| Coordinates | 51°31′45″N 0°10′12″E / 51.5292°N 0.1701°ECoordinates: 51°31′45″N 0°10′12″E / 51.5292°N 0.1701°E |
| Status | 555 new homes |
| Constructed | 2009–2016 |
| Governing Body | Circle Housing Old Ford |
[1]Orchard Village, formerly known as the Mardyke Estate, is a housing development in the South Hornchurch area of London, England.
From 2009 to 2016[2] the site is undergoing regeneration as part of the London Riverside part of the Thames Gateway. The estate was transferred from Havering London Borough Council to Old Ford Housing Association in March 2008[3] and redevelopment work started in November 2009.[4] Most of the existing housing, including a number of high rise blocks, were demolished. Once work was complete there was 555 new homes, available by mixed tenure.[5] The works include improvement to an open space adjacent to the estate.[6]
The original estate was built by Wates Ltd for Hornchurch Urban District Council on land that was previously the Mardyke Farm. The Mardyke is a minor tributary of the River Thames in Thurrock.
The estate included a number of high rise buildings, now demolished, each 38 m tall and consisting of 13 floors. They were named Chantry House, Dearsley House, Mardyke House, Perry House, Roman House and Templar House.
The name Orchard Village reflects the previous use of part of the land as an orchard supplying fruit to Wilkin & Sons. The former estate was the setting of the 2009 film Fish Tank.
http://www.romfordrecorder.co.uk/news/watchdog_opens_investigation_over_shocking_energy_bills_at_orchard_village_rainham_1_4717391http://www.romfordrecorder.co.uk/news/residents_call_for_council_control_of_old_ford_housing_association_after_avalanche_of_problems_at_orchard_village_rainham_1_4500973
http://www.theenquirer.co.uk/residents-fury-vermin-village/
Since it's construction, Orchard Village has been beset with problems of build quality and estate management which have been widely reported in the media, in particular by The Romford Recorder.
Currently the residents of Orchard Village are actively engaged in highlighting the dangers of unchecked regeneration projects. During construction £31.2m of public money was used in the form of a grant from the Homes and Communities Agency, and administered by the Office of the Mayor Of London (GLA). Residents have been angered by the HCA and GLA's refusal to examine evidence of residents exposure to Cat 1 Hazards such as mould, damp, leaving vulnerable individuals, such as disabled children hospitalised. Circles poor management has been exposed and widely reported in the press, with residents citing long delays in repairs.
In late 2015 onwards, residents who purchased affordable homes from Circle Housing as either freeholders or shared ownership leaseholders complained of numerous build quality issues including continual leaks, thermal discomfort, electrical faults and high bills. In early 2016 many residents discovered that homes were not insulated and began a process to complain to the authorities involved, Havering Building Control, Circle, The HCA and Mayor Of London's office. It was discovered that the Energy Performance Certificates bore no relation to the energy bills from a "locked in" supplier. On average, home owners are experiencing 3-5 more in costs to the EPCs.
Many of the residents are awaiting insulation to be installed into their homes.
The Energy Ombudsman is looking into the cases of residents bills and is looking to release its findings later.
Residents have complained to theHCA, Havering and GLA but all agencies seem reluctant to act.
In October 2016 video footage appeared on Twitter, of dumping of waste on the Beam Parklands, by builders during the construction of Orchard Village.
References
- ↑ Farand, Chloe. "Watchdog opens investigation over 'shocking' energy bills at Orchard Village, Rainham". Romford Recorder. Retrieved 2016-10-22.
- ↑ http://www.romfordrecorder.co.uk/news/orchard_village_five_years_on_we_look_back_at_rainham_s_mardyke_estate_as_regeneration_hits_halfway_mark_1_2242990
- ↑ Orchard-village.co.uk
- ↑ Circleanglia.org
- ↑ Romford-today.co.uk
- ↑ Havering.gov.uk