Work has been completed on twenty-two homes on the site of what was once a public house. The site was run-down before being transformed into a new affordable housing scheme where the first residents are about to move in.
The development has been undertaken by the Two Castles Housing Association who have been landlords in the local area for many years. The scheme will see property insurance organised on properties to rent and for sale, as some homes will benefit from the Government’s HomeBuy shared ownership scheme. They will add these new properties to their mix of two-bedroom bungalows and two and three-bedroom houses.
Plans for the housing were granted after both the council and local community raised concerns about the derelict pub which was a fire risk, a drinking and drugs den and an eyesore on the area. The pub was once the hub of the community, but like many others throughout the UK, it had to close when it stopped making money. The new properties have all been designed to meet the Sustainable Homes Level 4 standard. The council worked closely with the developers and the neighbouring ATAC (Area Training and Activity Centre) throughout the design period.
Two Castles Property Services Director, Rob Brittain, said: “This development is providing much needed affordable housing for this area and is bringing back into use the former pub site, which due to a lack of demand had been unused for five years. There is a demand in villages like this for high quality affordable homes to rent and buy and we are very pleased to announce that this fantastic new development will go some way towards meeting that need in the area. The provision of affordable housing is a high priority for Two Castles and we have worked closely with our partners on this development for the benefit of the local community.”
The development has been named Beaumont Court and although it took many months to create a plan for the site which met local approval, residents and builders are both delighted with the final outcome.