Affordable new homes for Berkhamsted

Bellway Housing Trust, a subsidiary of national housebuilder Bellway plc, has announced that it is launching a dozen affordable apartments at its new Stag Lane development in Berkhamsted.

The release of these 12 two–bedroom apartments in a great location creates a superb opportunity for local people to get a foot on the housing ladder, according to Bellway Housing Trust director, Brian Everett.

He says: “The Locks at Stag Lane is a superb new homes scheme in terms of the design and location of the site. With more and more first time buyers priced out of the housing market, and the demand for homes in the UK reaching an all time high, Bellway Housing Trust is at the forefront of providing quality affordable homes across the UK.”

Ian Sloan, Sales Director of Bellway North London, which is developing the site, added: "We expect demand to be strong, last time we offered Bellway Housing Trust properties in the county, they were all sold in less than a month. We anticipate a similar level of demand and excitement in Berkhamsted”.

The Locks, which will see first occupations in Summer of this year, will comprise 150 homes featuring a mix of contemporary apartments bordering the Canal with more traditional houses to the southern section of the site.

The housing mix will include 41 two-bedroom apartments; 7 two bedroom houses; 22 three-bedroom houses; 26 four-bedroom houses; and 4 five-bedroom houses. All homes have parking spaces with an allocation of two spaces for each house (more for the largest homes) and one parking space for each apartment plus visitor parking spaces and disabled parking bays.

The scheme offers those who are eligible the chance to buy up to a 75% a share of the allocated properties. The open market value of these homes ranges from £239,995 for a ground floor apartment and from £249,995-£252,995 for a second floor apartment.

“Putting this simply,” says Brian Everett, “this means that, with the help of Bellway Housing Trust’s Sharebuy, a 50% share in a fantastic new home could be acquired for just £118,500”.

Anyone with a serious housing need – whether from inside the Borough or a wider catchment - is likely to be eligible. To check if you qualify for the Bellway Sharebuy scheme contact the on-site sales & marketing centre (see below for details).

Bellway housing Trust is not a housing association but it is a new initiative set up by and within the Bellway Group to provide new affordable housing. The Trust works closely with local authorities to ensure people on moderate incomes are given the opportunity to get their foot on the property ladder.

Brian Everett commented: “The apartments available through the Trust are built in exactly the same way and to the same specification as those which have been sold on the conventional open market on the sites where we operate, so that there is total integration.”

Bellway has been working closely with the local community through a Developer Forum whereby Berkhamsted Town Council, the local community and Bellway can exchange news and views on the creation of The Locks.

In addition to the affordable housing now on offer, the housing scheme is already benefiting the town and the wider area. Arising from the development Bellway has made financial contributions of over £325,000 to improvements in the local area. Total contributions, some of which will be made once occupations take place, will well exceed this figure.

Berkhamsted is a quintessentially English country town with a delightful mix of period buildings, lovely restaurants and good shopping. The Locks is close to the Grand Union Canal and will improve what has been wasteland for many years. The site’s position at the end of the High Street will make it a popular location. Access to major motorways is good and the town benefits from railway links to London.

The development, features open space in the centre, with access for the public as well as residents, covering just under eight acres it will improve what has for many years been derelict land - formerly warehousing and a timber treatment yard. The development is programmed to be complete by summer 2009.

In addition to the Sharebuy homes, private housing is also available. Prices for apartments at The Locks start at £249,995 and prices for three-bedroom houses start at £342,995, four-bedroom houses from £379,995 and five-bedroom £412,995.

For details of both Sharebuy and private homes, visit Bellway.co.uk or Bellwayhousingtrust.bellway.co.uk.