Durkan Ltd has completed and handed over a £22million affordable housing scheme in Fairview Road, Stevenage, to Genesis Housing Group.

Fairview Road is the flagship project for Genesis Housing Group to provide 198 new homes as part of the Challenge Fund II Programme.

Fairview Road is an attractive, high density scheme, built on 2.75 hectares of disused land. It comprises a mix of 21 houses for general needs rent, 34 flats for general needs rent and 143 flats for shared ownership. It includes over 100 low-cost shared equity apartments for key workers.

Situated within 200 yards of Stevenage railway station and town centre, it provides much-needed housing in a prime central location.

Durkan undertook three different modern methods of construction, resulting in each property achieving a "Very Good" Eco Homes rating. A concrete frame was used on the highest blocks, reaching up to ten storeys, while some four storey apartments were built by traditional methods. Timber frame construction was used for the two- and three-storey houses and also for the three- and a four-storey apartments.

Speaking at the opening of the site, Councillor Ann Webb, Cabinet Member for Housing in Stevenage, said, "This has been a partnership in the true sense of the word. Each partner has worked together and we have all benefited from this high level of co-operation. The results of this can now be seen and we are looking forward to the completion of the final homes in 2007. This site will provide much needed housing and is the start of several projects across Stevenage."

Robert Clark, Managing Director of Durkan Limited, said, "We are delighted to hand over the properties to Genesis Housing Group. They will provide modern eco-efficient homes set in a sustainable community for local people in Stevenage."

- Ends -

For further information about Genesis Housing Group, or images, please contact

Notes to editors

The Challenge Fund II Programme was established in Autumn 2002 using money ringfenced from the Housing Corporation's Approved Development Programme to deliver new homes quickly and cost effectively.

The Fairview scheme was delivered by the partners of the innovative Logic Homes partnership. Made up of eight equal shareholders comprising, housing associations, constructors, developers and architects, Logic Homes has driven the concept of partnership forward to offer an effective one-stop solution to the challenge of building homes of all types, on time and to budget.

Logic Homes is a development agency specialising in the delivery of mixed tenure housing, using an alliance approach to provide quality and value for money.

In line with government policy encouraging innovative construction techniques in social housing, the project used three different types of construction. Concrete frame is being used on the highest blocks reaching up to 10 storeys, some four storey apartments will be built by traditional methods, and timber frame is being used for two and three storey houses and three and four storey apartments.