From the first of July, John Whitelock joined the Executive Team as Director of New Business taking on a new role combining the housing development side of Saffron Housing Trust with bringing in new services and opportunities. Some of our customers will know John as he has been with Saffron, initially with the supported housing team, since it started six years ago. He is looking forward to his new role and believes that Saffron is well placed to help develop new services for tenants and the wider community. Saffron is also delighted to welcome new Board members, South Norfolk Councillors Eloise Ellis and John Overton.
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The Opening Of Sherwell Court Hellesdon

Saffron Housing Trust is delighted to announce the completion of the redevelopment of the former "Ethel Tipple" site in Hellesdon with tenants moving in this week. (from 14/6/10)
Saffron Housing Trust, in partnership with Norfolk County Council and Broadland District Council, is delighted to be meeting further housing needs in the area. The redevelopment of the site in Hellesdon has produced 8 specially designed flats for young disabled people, 1 large bungalow with a high standard of accessibility and 9 houses to be rented out to people on Broadland District Council's housing register.
The original plans were for housing for sale to occupy part of the site and it looked like the plans were going to be shelved – victims of the credit crunch and falling house prices. However, determination on the part of Broadland District Council; Saffron Housing Trust; Norfolk County Council and the Homes and Community Agency meant that the plans were revised and Broadland District Council gained the prize of 9 much-needed houses for rent and eight young people found homes in which they could be independent – flats which have been tailored to help them cope with their disabilities and the first homes of their kind in the area.
John Whitelock Assistant Director of Housing at Saffron Housing Trust said 'It is a real pleasure to see the completion of Sherwell Court as it represents a great success for the joint work that has gone on between, Norfolk County Council, Broadland Council and Saffron Housing Trust. The Court will provide desperately needed new homes for people with physical disabilities, and will allow some people to return to Norfolk who have had to move away to find suitable accommodation.
Harold Bodmer, Director of Adult Social Services for Norfolk County Council said: 'This is a brilliant example of care for the future – and shows what good partnerships can achieve. All the tenants will have maximum choice through use of personal care budgets.'
Stephen Flowitt-Hill, Director of Housing & Finance at Saffron Housing Trust said "It is remarkable what can be achieved by co-operation. We will have a mixture of family housing and specialist housing on this site, with support arranged by Norfolk County Council. When house prices crashed and the original plans had to be scrapped, the future looked bleak for the young people's flats. But the final outcome is better than we could have hoped for. "
Broadland District Council Leader, Simon Woodbridge said: "It was great to see the marvellous facilities that this specialist housing development is offering young disabled people. The families I spoke to were delighted. Our young people need this support to have the quality of life they deserve."

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