Tenants move into social housing in St Albans city centre

Over 33 social rent homes are becoming occupied at the new Jubilee Square development.

Cllr Jacqui Taylor, St Albans City and District Council’s lead for housing, welcomed some of the tenants to their new homes.

She met with Sheila Dawson-Papa, one of eight tenants who are moving from ageing Telford Court which is being decommissioned.

Cllr Taylor viewed Sheila’s two-bedroom flat in Francis Bacon House, one of Jubilee Square’s two landmark buildings.

Cllr Jacqui Taylor (right) meets with Jubilee Square tenant Sheila Dawson-Papa. (Image: St Albans City and District Council) Sheila told her: “I am love, love, love, loving it here. It is really great. It’s so comfortable. I have a fabulous balcony and I am just a short walk away from the shops.

“The move from Telford Court couldn’t have been smoother. The removal people were wonderful and they have now become my friends.”

In August of this year, the district Council announced the completion of the £64 million Jubilee Square regeneration which aims to develop a rundown area of the city on the site of a former police station and NHS clinic.

Watford Community Housing purchased all of the development’s 93 much-needed new homes.

Of these, 33 are social rent properties which have been allocated to people on the council’s social housing register.

The other 60 are being sold on a shared ownership basis to help young people and key workers get on the property ladder.

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A new walkway, linking Victoria Street and Civic Close, is part of the development along with public gardens on the site of a former Quaker burial ground.

There is also 5,000 square metres of commercial space, the equivalent of ten full-sized basketball courts, which is available for rent. Discussions with prospective commercial tenants have been taking place.

L-R: Jenny Stenzel, Cllr Jacqui Taylor, Cllr Paul De Kort, Cllr Jamie Day, Daisy Cooper MP and representatives from St Albans Quakers celebrated the completion of the development in August. (Image: Simon Jacobs) Cllr Taylor said: “Jubilee Square was a highly ambitious project for a council of our size to undertake and we had to deal with the impact of unexpected events such as the pandemic, changes to building regulations and soaring inflation.

“However, seeing people like Sheila settle into their new home makes all that effort worthwhile. I am thrilled she is so happy with her new flat which has been finished to a very high standard.

“As a council, one of our priorities is to deliver more social housing and Jubilee Square is a striking demonstration of that commitment.”

Anyone is interested in acquiring one of the shared ownership flats can find more information at https://www.frosts.co.uk/new-homes/jubilee-square-victoria-street