Archived press release

Date Published: 21/11/06

A new affordable housing scheme in Aylesbury, named in memory of a former councillor, will be officially opened on 23 November. The late Margaret Lowe, a former Aylesbury school teacher and long-standing district and parish councillor, has been h...

A new affordable housing scheme in Aylesbury, named in memory of a former councillor, will be officially opened on 23 November.

The late Margaret Lowe, a former Aylesbury school teacher and long-standing district and parish councillor, has been honoured by AVDC and Midsummer Housing Association.

Lowe Gardens will be opened by Councillor Sue Polhill, Chairman of the Council, who will unveil a plaque in memory of Miss Lowe who sadly died at the age of 90 last year.

The £3.8 million development, consisting of 16 houses and eight apartments, is built on the former site of Southcourt First School in Ceely Road. Miss Lowe taught at the school for 38 years, of which 24 were as headmistress.

Run by Midsummer Housing Association and part-funded by AVDC, Lowe Gardens will provide much-needed affordable homes in the town. The scheme will consist of:
• Eight two bedroom apartments and four three bedroom houses for key workers
• Eight three bedroom houses for rent
• Four three bedroom houses for outright sale

It will cost between £58,800 and £76,250 to buy the two bedroom apartments and between £79,000 and £82,000 to buy the three bedroom houses provided for key workers.  Prices range from £205,000 to £215,000 for the homes available for outright sale.

The rental houses were built with a £570,000 grant from AVDC. Weekly rents will be an average of £88.

All the properties meet the government’s decent homes standard and incorporate features that will make them energy efficient and economical to run, including low energy light bulb fittings, cycle stores and low emission boilers.

Three of the homes are already reserved and Midsummer Housing Association has received a number of enquiries relating to the availability of properties for key workers and outright sale.

Councillor Michael Edmonds, Cabinet Member for Housing, Environment and Health, said: “The number of people in Aylesbury Vale today who, in spite of earning good salaries, still cannot get access to decent homes at an affordable price – whether that is for ownership or for rent – is increasing. This is as true for Aylesbury Vale as anywhere else in the country.

“The Lowe Gardens scheme will help meet this need and is an important example both of the use of modern methods of construction and of successful partnership working. AVDC will continue to work closely and tirelessly with partners, like Midsummer Housing Association, to provide homes like these for even more people in this district.”

He added: “The site has a particular interest for me as I attended the old school there during the Second World War years and was taught by Miss Lowe. The use now put to the ex-school site will be beneficial to many people. Miss Lowe would approve and she richly deserves the honour of having the development named after her.”

John Keily, Head of Development at Midsummer Housing Association, said: “We’re delighted to have had this opportunity to work with AVDC again, to provide much needed housing in the area. Funding from the council and the Housing Corporation has enabled us to develop these homes, whilst keeping the cost to rent or part-buy them more affordable.”

If you are interested in buying one of the new homes, please call 0844 800 2020 or email
sales@homes2ownuk.com for further details.