Ceremony celebrates start of new affordable housing development

Archived press release

Date Published: 10/05/07

A sod cutting ceremony marked the start of a new housing development, which will provide much-needed affordable rented homes for local families in Quarrendon, on Friday 4 May. The development, on the site of a former health centre in Lay Road, wi...

A sod cutting ceremony marked the start of a new housing development, which will provide much-needed affordable rented homes for local families in Quarrendon, on Friday 4 May.

The development, on the site of a former health centre in Lay Road, will provide 11 affordable homes for rent. Aldwyck Housing Group, a leading provider of affordable housing in the East of England, is working with construction partner McCann Homes on the project on what will be its first housing development project in the district. Aylesbury Vale District Council is providing capital grant to part fund the development.

The decision to provide housing for rent on the site was based on the council’s concerns about a lack of affordable rented homes in the district. Aylesbury Vale District Council will have the right to nominate the initial tenants from its waiting list for the new development, which is expected to be completed by January 2008.

The sod cutting ceremony was attended by representatives of Aldwyck, McCann Homes and Aylesbury Vale District Council.

Neil Hadden, Chief Executive of Aldwyck Housing Group, said: “We are extremely pleased to be starting our first housing development in Aylesbury Vale, particularly as we’ve been selected by the district council on the basis of our ability to deliver quick turnaround on much-needed affordable homes. We hope this is the first of many projects we have the opportunity to work on in the district. We’re also very pleased to be working with McCann Homes on this project.”

Sheila Franklin, Head of Housing at AVDC, said: “The council is committed to providing affordable housing in areas where high housing prices and low average wages make it difficult for many people to find an affordable home. It is vitally important that all new developments in the district provide a range of housing options that meet the needs of all our residents. We will continue to work with our partners to ensure these new schemes cater for people on low incomes.”