Wednesday 15 November 2006
Affordable homes plan for Sawston

A Cambridgeshire village is set to benefit from new affordable housing if plans by a local housing provider get the go-ahead.

bpha, one of the leading providers of affordable homes in Cambridgeshire, is putting together plans for a mix of homes on the site of the former village health centre in Link Road.

The Primary Care Trust, which owns the land, has agreed to dispose of the site to bpha for 100 per cent affordable housing, following the creation of a new health centre elsewhere in the village.

If plans are approved, the scheme would include a mix of rented homes for local people on the waiting list, and shared ownership properties to help households priced out of the local housing market to join the property ladder.

Before the plans are submitted to the local authority, bpha is meeting with Sawston Parish Council to gain their views on the proposals.

David Keeling, executive director for development at bpha, said: "This development would provide a much-needed boost in affordable housing for the village of Sawston. The scheme would provide high-quality affordable accommodation, available both to rent and to buy through shared ownership.

"We are committed to consulting with the local community before any decisions are taken and are looking forward to meeting with the parish council to hear their views before the plans are firmed up and submitted to the planning department."

bpha is one of the leading providers of high-quality affordable housing in Cambridgeshire and, as the Government-appointed HomeBuy agent for the county, also provides a one-stop-shop housing service for key workers and other households on low incomes.

It is currently working in partnership with Papworth Trust, King's Street Housing Trust, Places for People, South Cambridgeshire District Council and Cambridge City Council to provide 282 affordable homes at the new Arbury Park scheme to the north of Cambridge city.

bpha has also applied for planning permission to start work on the first new affordable homes to be built in St Ives for seven years.
If you would like to find out more about shared ownership properties in Cambrigeshire, please contact bpha's sales and marketing team, Keyhomes East on 0845  4566757 or visit www.keyhomes-east.org.uk.

Representatives from bpha will be meeting with Sawston Parish Council on November 28th