London & South East

Regenerating The Oaks

The Oaks is a new housing scheme from Merton Priory Homes – part of Circle Group – which aims to regenerate a former sheltered housing scheme in Eastway, Morden.

The Oaks has been designed to meet the needs of older and vulnerable people and once complete will provide 51 contemporary homes for older citizens.

The Oaks has been designed by PRP Architects, with Higgins Construction as the main contractor on the scheme. Work began on The Oaks after Merton Priory Homes Board conducted a comprehensive 12-week consultation with local residents and stakeholders.

Managing Director of Merton Priory Homes, Pauline Ford, said:

“We want to enhance the life chances of local residents by providing great homes and The Oaks will offer older and vulnerable people contemporary homes in the heart of the community. The Oaks regeneration would not be possible without support from Merton Council.”

Merton Council Cabinet Member for Community and Culture, Councillor Martin Whelton, added:

“Never has the need for quality housing been so great as it is now. We are working closely with our partner Merton Priory Homes on this innovative sheltered housing project. The self contained contemporary apartments demonstrate our commitment to quality housing for all ages and have been designed to reflect the greater aspirations of older people in the borough who demand more than the traditional retirement flat.”

Once work is complete on the project, The Oaks will consist of 26 one-bedroom and 25 two-bedroom affordable flats. The design of the regeneration is based around a report issued in 2009 by the Housing or Ageing Population Panel for Innovation (the HAPPI report), and includes spacious and wheelchair friendly rooms and a range of modern facilities.

The Oaks is scheduled to reach completion in late 2013 and joins the regeneration of two additional sheltered housing schemes in Merton; Dolliffe Close and Gresham House.

Director of PRP’s Specialist Housing Team, Steve Hynds, said:

“PRP is delighted to be working with Merton Priory Homes and Circle on all three Merton projects. The designs are strongly influenced by our involvement with the HAPPI Report and we have been involved at every stage of the design, including landscaping and interiors. We also supported MPH during extensive consultation with local residents, the results of which reflected in the final designs.”

Circle – formerly Circle Anglia – manages more than 65,000 homes and provides services for around 300,000 people across the UK. Circle’s aim is to enhance life opportunities through excellent homes and reliable services.

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