A new affordable housing project in north east Derbyshire has been unveiled to councillors, project partners, and the people who are going to live there.
Located on the outskirts of Chesterfield, Honeysuckle Road and Snowberry Close is a £6m development built by contractor and developer William Davis Ltd in partnership with Derby-based housing provider Derwent Living and North East Derbyshire District Council (NEDDC).
In a ceremony to mark the opening of the scheme, project partners and residents gathered on site to plant a rowan tree in the centre of the development. Delegates were also given a guided tour of the scheme, including the opportunity to view one of the brand new homes.
Speaking at the event, Guy Higgins, managing director at William Davis, said: "We are pleased to have completed these sustainable homes and created a thriving new community here in North East Derbyshire. With all the properties on the scheme now allocated, it has proven there is a significant appetite for this type of housing with local families. We hope the scheme continues to benefit residents for many years to come."
Honeysuckle Road and Snowberry Close comprise 55 two-, three- and four-bedroom properties for shared ownership and social rent. The new homes have been built to Code for Sustainable Homes Level 3 and benefit from high levels of insulation, Mechanical Ventilation Heat Recovery (MVHR) and rain water harvesting systems. A proportion of the new homes also have solar photovoltaic tiles installed.
Peter McCormack, Derwent Living's chief executive, said: "I'm thrilled we have officially opened this already popular development. By investing in shared ownership, people will be able to buy a home in a way that is affordable to them. It is a great way for people to get a first step on the property ladder and allows them to buy more equity when they can afford it."
Cllr. Betty Hill, NEDDC's member with responsibility for housing, added: "As an authority, we are committed to providing high quality, sustainable and affordable homes which will serve our communities for years to come. By working in partnership we are able to develop sites like these for the benefit of local people."