Affordable Homes Dedicated To Late Councillor (Published 21.7.10)

Berman Court, a new affordable housing scheme from Westcountry Housing and Teignbridge District Council, has provided families with 15 new homes to rent as a lasting tribute to late Teignbridge councillor Brian Berman.

The Newton Abbot development is named in memory of Cllr Berman, who died unexpectedly in September 2008. He had served for many years as Teignbridge's Executive Member for Housing, before taking on responsibility for Communities and Regulation in April 2008. Known as a passionate advocate of affordable housing, Brian's memory lives on at Berman Court, which will be officially dedicated to him by local officials and his wife Hilary Berman next week.

The £1.6M development comprises 10 one-bed flats and 5 two-bed flats which have been allocated for rent through Devon Home Choice, the area's choice based lettings scheme which last year replaced district-specific waiting lists in favour of a Devon-wide approach. The project is a partnership between Westcountry Housing, a member of Westward Housing Group and Teignbridge Council, with local firm Coyde Construction undertaking the build.

It was funded by a grant from the Homes and Communities Agency (£750k) and Westcountry Housing (£850k), and was completed in January 2010.

The finished result is high-quality affordable homes in a modern building, making use of traditional local materials. The building has been designed to complement the ongoing regeneration of the centre of Newton Abbot, which started with the ASDA development in 2005 and more recently saw the pedestrianisation of the Clock Tower area and nationally-funded work to improve Courtenay Street.

Teignbridge Council owned the land which Berman Court was being built on, and negotiated with Westcountry Housing to sell it to them to help ensure the provision of new affordable homes.

Hilary Berman, Brian's widow said:

"Berman Court is a fitting tribute to Brian, exemplifying the kind of high-quality, well-placed housing which he was so keen to see developed for local people. 15 more households are now enjoying a better standard of affordable living, and I hope that affordable homes continue as a council priority, as they are one of the most important things which local people want."

Cllr Ray Frost, Teignbridge Executive Spokesperson for Housing Services said:

"Brian was incredibly passionate about affordable homes and the principle that everyone deserved a decent home at a price they could afford. It's that principle that continues to drive our work to provide new homes and housing support to local people, something which is more important than ever in the current economic climate."

Mike Winwood, Chairman of the Board of Westcountry Housing:

"This is a most fitting tribute to Brian Berman. Westcountry is delighted to honour him in this way and we appreciate the dedication that Hilary has just made in naming this development after her late husband. This scheme is another example of our commitment to work in partnership with Teignbridge, developers and professional suppliers to bring about good quality homes."

Cllr Marie Jenkins, Teignbridge Council Ward Member for Newton Abbot College Ward said:

"Brian Berman spent his whole life fighting for people to be able to live in decent, affordable homes and I was honoured to work with him.  He would be so proud to see the work that Teignbridge have done to help create these properties, and it is fitting that they be named after him."

Cllr Carol Bunday, Teignbridge Council Ward Member for Newton Abbot College Ward added:

"It's such a fitting thing to have this development named after Brian Berman – a real lasting tribute to someone so dedicated to serving local people."

ENDS