AN Ipswich-based building firm is set to create a £10.5million sustainable housing complex which will form part of the UK's second Millennium Community.

By Sarah Chambers

AN Ipswich-based building firm is set to create a £10.5million sustainable housing complex which will form part of the UK's second Millennium Community.

Jackson Construction, based at Sandyhill Lane, has started work on constructing 109 sustainable timber frame houses and apartments in King's Lynn, Norfolk, for its client, Morston Assets.

The housing adheres to strict English Partnerships Millennium Community Standards, which focus on environmentally friendly design, quality and efficiency, social inclusion, quality of life and long-term economic viability.

It is part of the larger Nar Ouse Regeneration Area (NORA) project in King's Lynn, which is one of the largest brownfield mixed use regeneration projects ever undertaken in the East of England.

When completed, the NORA project will provide more than 900 homes, one million sq ft of employment space, 30,000 sq ft of retail space, a new primary school, community hall, and health, sports and leisure facilities.

The 109 homes Jackson is building are due to be finished by Spring 2007. The construction company, which has a £65million turnover, is part of the Interior Services Group Plc, a construction services specialist with a £740million turnover. Jackson's wide-ranging clients include B&Q, Redrow Homes, and the MoD, as well as the education, leisure, residential and public sector.

The mix of housing, which ranges from one bedroom apartments to five bedroom houses, is specifically geared towards attracting a wide range of residents and increasing the diversity of the new community.

The houses, which are all expected to secure an excellent EcoHomes rating, feature high levels of insulation, with timber windows and doors from sustainable sources, and efficient water and central heating systems.

Recreational space and attractive landscape is a key element of the Millennium Community scheme, and Jackson will be creating Home Zones - enclosed spaces designed to provide safe play areas for residents. Communal gardens and a community stewardship programme are aimed at enabling residents to take on the development's long-term upkeep and foster strong community bonds.

David Dodge, of Morston Assets, said they were “delighted” to see a tangible start on site after the hard work invested by the public and private sector partners in the scheme.

“This is an exciting time for the project, not only in terms of the residential start, but also as we draw closer to a construction start of the first business space, featuring an enterprise centre which will become a centre of excellence within northwest Norfolk,” he said.

Phillip Allerton, director of Jackson Construction's accommodation division, said: “As one of only seven Millennium Community projects given the go-ahead within the UK, we are delighted to be playing such an influential role within the regeneration of Kings Lynn.

“Jackson Construction has a wealth of expertise working with modern methods of construction and we will be bringing all of our experience to bear on this high profile and regionally important scheme.”