Celebrations mark the start of Great Blakenham development

A groundbreaking ceremony recently marked the start on site of Orbit Homes’ 383-home mixed-tenure development in Great Blakenham.

Located on the site of the former Masons Cement Works, the development, named ‘Blakenham Fields’, is being constructed by Lovells. It will comprise new homes for Outright Sale, Shared Ownership and Social Rent, made possible through £5.485 million of Kickstart funding from the Homes and Communities Agency (HCA). The first phase of development will include 40 homes for Outright Sale, 25 for Shared Ownership and 56 for Social Rent.

Councillor Marilyn Curran of Mid Suffolk District Council performed the official groundbreaking and gave a speech about the development in which she acknowledged the hard work of all parties involved and the positive impact that the development will have on Great Blakenham.

Councillor Curran said: “Mid Suffolk District Council are pleased to have been instrumental in enabling this housing scheme to come forward in partnership with Orbit Homes and the Homes and Communities Agency. Without the hard work and perseverance of officers at the council and member support throughout, we wouldn’t be here today to celebrate the start on site of these new homes. Thanks must also go to the Parish Council who has been involved in the planning and development process from the start.”

“The development will be a major boost to the economy as it will secure new apprenticeships and job opportunities for the local community as well as regenerating a derelict area and providing facilities and services to the local community.”

Nhi Huynh-Ma, Investment & Regeneration Manager for the HCA, said: “We are pleased to see spades in the ground which will lead to more high quality new homes being built in the area. Our investment is also helping to support a major leisure development that will bring further job opportunities for local people.”

Jeff Knowles, Residential Development Director at Orbit Homes said: “We believe there is a need for high quality, desirable new homes and by developing homes across a mix of tenures as well as providing new facilities and infrastructure we hope that Blakenham Fields will provide benefits for the whole community of Great Blakenham.”

Paul Tennant, Chief Executive of the Orbit Group said: “On behalf of Orbit I would like to express our thanks to Mid Suffolk District Council, The Parish Council and the Homes and Communities Agency for working in partnership with us to bring this development to fruition”

Blakenham Fields will include a selection of one, two, three and four-bedroom homes. The first release will be available in spring 2012 from a marketing suite on the development.

To register for further information about the homes at Blakenham Fields, visit orbithomes.org.uk.