DELEGATES from the Czech Republic last week visited Huntingdon to discuss the building of sustainable communities with Luminus, the eastern region s premier housing provider. Guests from the 13 District of Prague met with Luminus representatives to learn

DELEGATES from the Czech Republic last week visited Huntingdon to discuss the building of sustainable communities with Luminus, the eastern region's premier housing provider.

Guests from the 13 District of Prague met with Luminus representatives to learn about best practice, and the methods and approaches employed by the Huntingdon-based social landlord.

Since the end of the Soviet Union, the Czech Republic and its neighbours have faced challenges in building sustainable and effective social housing and struggled to contend with the high-rise concrete blocks built under Soviet rule.

The delegation met with Chan Abraham, Luminus Group chief executive, and Nigel Finney, the executive director for operations, who gave a detailed insight into Luminus procedures.

The guests were then taken to see working developments and projects at Huntingdon North.

There they were able to speak to Luminus employees about frontline services, and received literature offering guidance upon their return to the Czech Republic.

Luminus Group chief executive Chan Abraham said the company had been delighted to welcome their colleagues from Prague.

He added: "They face serious challenges, but we hope that by sharing our best practice and the knowledge we have gained in the past 10 years we can inspire and promote positive change in Prague 13. We look forward to helping them in the future.