£16 million vision of future homes

AN artist’s impression of the development

WORK has started on a £16 million town centre housing development.

Contour Housing Group is to build 93 family homes on empty land which was formerly a housing estate with poor-quality deck-access flats

Hoardings have gone up around the site bounded St Mary’s Way, Egerton Street and Horsedge Street.

The development will have 52 new homes for social rent and 41 homes available to purchase through the Rent to Homebuy scheme for people who can’t afford a mortgage. People on the council’s waiting list will be nominated for the social homes while locals will have first refusal on the rent-to-buy properties.

The plans also include public open space, landscaping, a bus lay-by and pedestrian crossing.

For years the land was used as a free car park, and Andrea Swanwick, project manager for Contour, said: “When workmen started to erect the hoarding, I spoke to several local people who were really pleased to see that things are now starting to happen on this derelict site

“We are delighted to be bringing St Mary’s back to life.

“As well as building the new homes, Contour Housing Group intends to work closely with existing residents to develop community initiatives which we hope will include and benefit the wider area.”