DEVELOPERS SELECTED FOR MAJOR SCHEME TO REGENERATE
CENTRAL ROMFORD SITE

The London Borough of Havering has selected Orion Land & Leisure Limited and leading urban developer, First Base, to develop the multi-million pound mixed use scheme in the heart of Romford.

The redevelopment of the site will provide a state-of-the-art sport and leisure centre including a high quality ice rink and 25-metre swimming pool. The project also includes plans for 500 new homes, of which a proportion will be affordable Key Worker and socially rented properties. The proposal by Orion and First Base aims to create a truly mixed use community in this central location in the London Borough of Havering.

Leader of Havering Council, Councillor Michael White, said, "This new, state of the art leisure complex for Romford will provide outstanding sport and recreational facilities for residents and visitors alike. The provision of 500 new homes further underpins Havering Council's ongoing commitment to bringing more, high quality housing choices to as broad a range of the local population as possible."

Jason Fielden, Managing Director of Orion Land & Leisure Limited, said, "We are very excited at the prospect of delivering a new state of the art ice rink for the people of Romford and the wider area to use and enjoy, as well as providing a new home for the Romford Raiders with seating for 1400 spectators. The development will also include a stunning 25m pool with a health and fitness suite.

"It is our intention to have both the ice rink and the pool open to the public by 2011 and we are confident that the new facilities will exceed the public's expectations."

As well as regenerating this important site for the community, the project has also been designed with the environment in mind. Plans for the scheme include a range of environmental technologies which will contribute to a significant reduction in carbon emissions.

Elliot Lipton, Managing Director of First Base, added, "Our design seeks to balance state-of-the-art leisure facilities with quality architecture and sustainable residential development. A key focus for us has been to ensure the community facilities are effectively integrated into the master plan as they have a major role to play in the success of the overall project. Our proposals for this site are testament to our commitment to place making and creating truly mixed communities which are sustainable in the long term."

The development team hopes to submit plans for the site this year. If the planning application is successful, construction could start on site in 2009.

-ENDS-

For First Base:      
Jess Gooch / David Lucas
Tel: 020 7908 6447 / 020 7908 6422 6511                               
Email jgooch@lexispr.com / dlucas@lexispr.com

NOTES TO EDITORS:

• It transforms the way that properties are built - using best practice modern construction methods that keep costs low yet quality high, embracing sustainability and ensuring value for money.
• It transforms the way that communities are formed - with a mix of tenures, a range of homes, a commitment to high quality management and services that make friends of neighbours.
• And it transforms the way that style meets function - with attractive designs, inside and out, that do more than simply look good.

Designed by renowned architects, built by skilled craftspeople, managed by experts, First Base homes are quality, sustainable and affordable properties for purchase or rental.

First Base is currently involved in a range of projects that will deliver mixed-tenure housing in London and the South East. These include:

• London's first major carbon neutral scheme on the site of the former Greenwich District Hospital
• Stratford City Olympic Village, as part of the Lend Lease consortium
• the regeneration of a site in Kings Cross to provide affordable accommodation to over 900 students
• a number of schemes under English Partnerships' London Wide Initiative including Adelaide Wharf in Shoreditch and two sites in regeneration hot spot, Elephant and Castle

The company was included in the RIBA 'Top 50 Clients' survey for its innovative approach to quality design, using renowned architects including, Rogers Stirk Harbour and Partners, AHMM and Fletcher Priest for a range of projects across the capital.

First Base is also a founding member of the UK Green Building Council. The organisation, launched in the Spring of 2007, aims to provide leadership and cohesion to the UK Green building movement, provide a single, powerful pan-industry voice to Government, facilitate knowledge sharing and spread best practice and raise the international standing of UK industry.

For further information please visit www.firstbase.com