Once notorious, now desirable. That is Orchard Village today. Orchard Village, located in South Hornchurch, has a story of transformation. We stand here at Orchard Village. It is a housing development with a past and a future.
Let’s delve into Orchard Village’s history. It was once known as the Mardyke Estate. The Mardyke Estate was built in the 1960s. It housed workers from the Ford Dagenham automobile plant. The estate fell into decline. Crime increased. Buildings became dilapidated. By 2007, it was undesirable. Havering Council struggled to find tenants.
A transformation was needed. Orchard Village emerged from regeneration efforts. The London Riverside part of the Thames Gateway saw this change. Havering London Borough Council transferred the estate to Old Ford Housing Association in March 2008. Redevelopment began in November 2009. Most of the old housing was demolished. This included high-rise blocks and flats.
The original Mardyke Estate had six high-rise buildings. Each was 38 meters tall and had 13 floors. They were named Chantry House, Dearsley House, Mardyke House, Perry House, Roman House and Templar House. The estate had 490 rental units and 57 leasehold properties.
Orchard Village is a new development. It boasts 555 new homes. There are 339 general needs homes. Sixty-four are shared ownership. One hundred and fifty-two are private sale properties. Local shops and a primary care facility are available. PRP Architects designed Orchard Village.
The name Orchard Village has a story. Part of the land was once an orchard. It supplied fruit to Wilkin & Sons. This history is reflected in the new name.
The construction of Orchard Village was in three phases. Phase 1 and Phase 2 were mainly social housing. Displaced tenants from the original Mardyke Estate were given priority. Willmott Dixon built these phases. Phase 2 was recognized as the best social or affordable new housing development. It earned the Local Authority Building Control Excellence award. Phase 3 offered shared ownership affordable properties. Willmott Dixon was also the builder.
However, Orchard Village faced challenges. Build quality and estate management issues arose. Residents reported leaks and thermal discomfort. Electrical faults and high energy bills were concerns. Some homes lacked insulation. Gardens did not drain properly. Raw sewage backflowed into homes. High levels of methane were detected.
Despite these issues, Orchard Village represents progress. It offers modern homes and a renewed sense of community. The transformation from the Mardyke Estate is significant. It shows what can be achieved through regeneration.
Today, Orchard Village stands as a testament. It exemplifies collaboration between residents and local authorities. It is a place where people are proud to live. Orchard Village is a lasting legacy in Rainham. It is a home for generations to come.