THE ribbon to a £20 million housing investment project has been cut in Cinderford.
Representatives from several partnership organisations gathered last Thursday for the official launch of the King's Lodge at Valley Road.
Leader of the district council, Cllr Patrick Molyneux cut the ribbon to the show homes alongside David Garnett from Two Rivers, chief executive of Two Rivers Gary King, chair of the Cinderford Regeneration Board Cllr Graham Morgan, Homes and Communities Agency area manager Adam Frontczak, and managing director of Kier Partnership Homes Chris King.
The project is the result of a partnership working between the district council, Two Rivers Housing and the Homes and Communities Agency (HCA), and developers Kier Partnership Homes and is the first major step in the regeneration of Cinderford.
Cllr Patrick Molyneux, Leader of the district council said: "The council has been happy to spearhead this project for the benefit of the district. The King's Lodge development will provide much needed sustainable housing in Cinderford and is the first successful step towards the regeneration of the Forest."
The former Ensors abattoir site will see, by June 2015, a mix of 92 affordable and private high-quality sustainable new homes designed to appeal to single people, couples and families. Of the 92 homes, 37 will be owned by Two Rivers Housing.
Garry King, chief executive of Two Rivers Housing said: "We are delighted to be working in partnership with the Forest of Dean District Council, Kier Homes and the Homes and Communities Agency to provide much-needed homes in Cinderford. As an active supporter of regeneration in Cinderford, this will be our sixth new housing scheme there, bringing new affordable homes and jobs for the community."
Cllr Graham Morgan, chairman of Cinderford Regeneration Board added: "It is really pleasing to see the King's Lodge development taking shape so quickly...It is also good news that the majority of people working with Kier's sub-contractors are local people too. I would like to wish the Kier team all the very best for a successful completion in summer next year."