Epping Forest District Council's housebuilding programme has been praised by Epping Forest MP Dame Eleanor Laing following the opening of two new developments in the district.
A block of seven flats in Pentlow Way, Buckhurst Hill, was officially opened yesterday with the cutting of a ribbon by Cathy Brokenshire, the widow of former Government minister James Brokenshire after whom the development is named.
Yesterday's opening came the day after the opening of a development of eight flats - Fitch Court in Woollard Street, Waltham Abbey - named after the late Waltham Abbey town councillor and Town Mayor Mick Fitch.
Speaking at the opening of Brokenshire Court, Dame Eleanor said: "I am very proud that Epping Forest District Council is leading the way in the country in the building of new council houses.
"We all know that there is enormous demand from local people for more affordable houses and what the district council is doing is really brilliant.
"This is a lovely building and I very much look forward to seeing families living happily here in this really nice part of Buckhurst Hill."
Dame Eleanor added: "It's lovely that the district council has decided to name this development after James Brokenshire.
"James was very much a local lad. He started his political career here with the Young Conservatives. He was a great politician and the right kind of politician because he quietly worked to get things done, to bring benefits to everyone in our communities.
"He was a really progressive Housing Minister but that was only one of his jobs.
"His loss is felt very strongly not only by his family and his friends but right across our local community."
James Brokenshire was a former Housing Minister and ex-Northern Ireland Minister. He died from lung cancer in October 2021.
Mr Brokenshire was a student at Davenant Foundation School in Loughton for seven years in the early 1980s and first became involved in politics with the Young Conservatives in Epping Forest.
He was elected MP for Hornchurch in 2005 and continued to live in Loughton until he was elected MP for Old Bexley and Sidcup in Kent in 2010.
Mr Brokenshire's late father, Peter, was the first chief executive of Epping Forest District Council when it was formed in 1974 having previously been treasurer of the then Chigwell Urban District Council.
Mr Brokenshire's widow Cathy said: "It's a real honour to be here today. It's just such a shame that James isn't here to join us but he would be overwhelmed by this.
"He grew up in Epping Forest, he was educated in Epping Forest, we met in Epping Forest. He developed his love of politics in Epping Forest and we eventually went on to get married here and one of his best friends was Dame Eleanor Laing.
"It's a real tribute to be here to see the opening of Brokenshire Court."
* Two years ago a new block of classrooms at Davenant Foundation School was named after Mr Brokenshire.
The Brokenshire Building accommodates classrooms for Computing, Economics and Business Studies subjects.
