Construction has started on a much-needed new development of 44 affordable Stonewater village homes in Houghton Conquest near Bedford.
Stonewater, a leading social housing provider in the region, is financing the £6.5 million mixed scheme of 27 low-cost rental and 17 affordable shared ownership properties in Chapel End Road. The new homes are part of Meadow Croft, a wider development of 125 dwellings by housebuilder Kier Living.
Stonewater’s new affordable housing community will provide a mix of four one-bedroom apartments, and eight two-, 11 three- and four four-bedroom houses all for affordable rent. A further eight two- and nine three-bedroom houses will be offered for low-cost shared ownership – a part-buy, part-rent scheme which aims to help first time buyers onto the property ladder. The energy-efficient homes will each have private back gardens and good parking provision.
The Chapel End scheme is also providing hands-on construction training opportunities for two apprentice bricklayers from The Prince’s Trust. Stonewater’s delivery partners are Kier Living and Central Bedfordshire Council.
Arthur Gott, Development Manager at Stonewater says:
“We are delighted to be working with Kier Living and starting construction on these urgently needed affordable village homes that will enable local people who are struggling to find truly affordable housing in the area. Stonewater is committed to building homes in villages like Houghton Conquest. These schemes help preserve the economic viability of our country villages by enabling local people to live and work close to their family, friends and support network.”
Nick Moore, Managing Director of Kier Living Eastern, states:
“Working collaboratively with Stonewater, we are delighted to be delivering much-needed housing in the Houghton Conquest area. These 44 high-quality affordable homes are part of a diverse portfolio of properties we are delivering across the region as we look to provide more families with places they are proud to call home.”
Stonewater currently manages over 3,000 affordable homes in Bedfordshire.