CCH Bulletin Summer 2000
Minister launches Redditch Development
Nick Raynsford, Minister for Housing & Planning dropped in for a coffee in Redditch to launch Pioneer Close Housing Co-operative, the first development for Redditch Co-operative Homes.
Nick spoke of how Redditch's imaginative approach to developing housing co-ops was "entirely in keeping with the government's green paper" in that it offers residents "a real stake in their community". He then went on to release 500 balloons (one for each new home intended to be provided by Redditch Co-operative Homes over the next five years).
Hazel Surdo, a member of Pioneer Close Housing Co-op, said: "I chatted with Nick Raynsford over coffee and he seemed very impressed with our co-operative. We have been involved in the decision making process throughout the design and building of our homes, and now it our responsibility to help build a happy and effective community - and we're all enjoying the task".
Also at the opening were Cllr Ken Sumner, a board member of Redditch Co-operative Homes who enthusiastically predicted that co-operatives are "the future way for social housing", and Cllr Albert Wharrad, leader of Redditch Council, who admitted that he was "pleased to be converted" from being a co-op sceptic, and indicated that Pioneer Close Housing Co-op demonstrated "what you can do if you trust people".
