The first residents, Mark and Lisa Diggins, at Genesis Housing Group's Girtin, Munro and Gulland development in Bushey, have now moved into their new homes.

Following extensive consultation with residents, the wider community and local stakeholders, Genesis' planning application for demolition and regeneration was approved by Hertsmere Borough Council in January 2008. After years of vandalism and anti-social behaviour the first phase of demolishing the 1950s Ministry of Defence homes began in May. The scheme will deliver a new mixed-tenure neighbourhood of 190 houses and flats over the next two years.

All affordable homes on the development will be built to the latest energy efficient standards and incorporate sustainable technologies which aim to lower the residents' household bills and reduce the developments' carbon footprint.

Steve Coleman, Group Director of Development at Genesis Housing Group, said ''Genesis has worked very closely with residents and we are so pleased to see Mark and Lisa now settled in. It is wonderful to see this affordable and sustainable development coming together and fitting the needs of the residents so well.''

Resident Lisa Diggins said 'We are so happy that our family has moved in to this fantastic home. We now have the space to all eat dinner together and we are looking forward to raising our family here.'

Howard Lavers, Managing Director of Crestel Partnerships, the contractor building the new homes, said 'We are delighted that first residents Lisa and Mark have moved into their new home. Crestel Partnerships and Genesis Housing Group have worked in partnership together and we look forward to welcoming more residents as work progresses.'

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Photo caption (l-r): Mark Diggins - new resident, Howard Lavers - Managing Director of Crestel Partnerships, Lisa Diggins - new resident, Steve Coleman - Group Director of Development at Genesis Housing Group

For further information about Genesis Housing Group, or images, please contact Diana Evans on 020 8150 4178 / email diana.evans@ghg.org.uk

Notes to editors

Genesis Housing Group provides homes and services to tens of thousands of people across London and the south east. The Group consists of PCHA, Pathmeads and Springboard housing associations. It also has a charitable foundation, Genesis Community, and is one of the largest and most successful housing groups in the UK. Genesis Housing Group owns and/or manages more than 38,000 homes across London and the south east. Its overiding aim is to put customers first and provide excellent service to all.

PCHA has over 40 years experience of owning and managing homes. It currently provides homes and services to more than 10,000 households. PCHA owns and/or manages homes in 18 boroughs across London and the south east. Services include housing management, leasehold management services for shared owners and support services for vulnerable residents.

PCHA bought two-thirds of the site in 1998 comprising two, three and four-bed flats. One block of six four-bed flats were also owned by PCHA but managed by Hightown Praetorian for people with learning disabilities. The remainder of the estate was purchased by PCHA in January 2005, resulting in 16 four-bed flats.

The mixed tenure development of 190 homes will comprise a mix of flats and houses: 75 X 1-bed flats, 66 X 2-bed flats, 1 X 3-bed flats, 13 X 2-bed flats, 16 X 3-bed houses, 19 X 4-bed houses along with 303 parking spaces.

Crestel Partnerships has a long history of working in the affordable housing sector. We work closely with our partner housing associations to build quality homes and communities where people want to live.

Our main business core objective is to increase the supply of new affordable housing. We believe in developing homes constructed to high standards and modern designs, which are affordable and appropriate to the local needs to ensure community cohesion and sustainability.

We operate throughout London, the Northern Home Counties, East Anglia, through the A1M corridor to Cambridgeshire and Northampton and Buckinghamshire including Milton Keynes and M4 corridor to Oxford.