Member Article

Housing developer’s boost for affordable homes

One of the country’s biggest housing developers is helping to provide much needed, high quality affordable homes for families in Hertfordshire.

Keepmoat has teamed up with affordable housing provider Affinity Sutton to build 18 new homes at The Hyde, Hollybush Lane, in Welwyn Garden City, and a further seven properties at Stratfield Way, Borehamwood.

It follows the successful development of a £1.7m project at Gammons Farm Close in Watford, which brought 14 much-needed affordable homes to the area.

The new Welwyn Garden City development, comprising of a mix of two and three-bedroom houses and eight, two-bedroom bungalows on a former brownfield site, is expected to be completed by March, 2015.

There are also plans for a new community centre, which should be operational by this summer.

The second new development at Borehamwood is part of a major regeneration programme for the town’s Stratfield Road area.

It comprises of seven, three-storey townhouses which are being built on two sites at Barton Way and Aberford Road following the demolition of around 20 garages.

The scheme, which will also include improved parking in Stratfield Road, is expected to be completed by the end of this year.

Dan Germann, Regional Managing Director for Keepmoat South, said: “We are delighted to be once again working in partnership with Affinity Sutton on these exciting new developments which will provide much needed affordable housing to local families.

“Our aim is to create better places for people to live, work and play by delivering affordable homes through successful partnerships and these projects are an excellent example of that.”

David Shepherd, Development Director at Affinity Sutton, said: “It’s great to be able to bring forward our plans for new affordable housing with Keepmoat.

“We are looking forward to completion and seeing residents settle in to their new homes.”

The Gammons Farm Close development, which received approval from the planning committee, was completed at the end of last year and consists of six four-bedroom homes, six three-bedroom properties and two, two-bedroom houses including one specifically designed for wheelchair use.

Councillor Dorothy Thornhill, Mayor of Watford, said: “I am delighted that the council could assist Affinity Sutton and Keepmoat with this fantastic new affordable housing development.

“These quality homes are a great addition to the town, especially the wheelchair friendly property and I am sure that the new tenants will enjoy their homes.”

As part of Keepmoat’s commitment to the local community, the company will employ local labour and the properties will be built to Code for Sustainable Homes Level 4 – resulting in a low carbon footprint and cheaper energy bills.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Craig Downs .