Civic welcome for Barratt-built social housing in Melton Mowbray

Civic leaders have welcomed the handover of 65 new Barratt-built homes to a housing association in Melton Mowbray. The new homes at Dieppe Way were completed in just over 12 months and consist of a variety of two and three bedroom homes plus bungalows.

They were handed over to the De Montfort Housing Society, which manages around 4000 affordable rented properties in the East Midlands.

The Mayor of Melton, Coun. Mal Sheldon, officiated at the handover along with the former Mayor Coun. Pam Posnett, who now has special responsibility for affordable housing. They were accompanied by the ward councillor, Joe Orson.

The first family to occupy one of the new homes, Hannah Waites, Chris Sherwood and their 18 month old daughter Isobel said they were delighted with their new two bedroom home.

Hannah said: "We have been living with relatives and we are amazed by the amount of space we have here. It is wonderful. We would never have been able to have a home of our own if it had not been for this new development."

Coun. Posnett said: "It is a real problem for young people to be able to find a new home these days and these new affordable rented properties are ideal. They look wonderful and they are well set out."

The Mayor, Coun. Sheldon said: "I am impressed by the good mixture of new properties. It means they will become homes to people with wide range of ages and backgrounds. It makes this development more like a village and a real community."

Coun. Joe Orson said: "This development has really tidied up the area and provided new affordable homes as well."

Barratt East Midlands Technical Director, Mark Cotes said; "We are delighted to hand over these top quality new homes. They are based on our commercially available house types and are constructed and finished to the same exacting standards. They will be a very welcome addition to the affordable housing available for rent in Melton Mowbray and will be fantastic family homes.

"Some housing authorities have been worried about the supply of social housing from commercial builders - but Barratt is the industry leader in honouring its commitments to building affordable rented homes."

De Montfort Housing Society's chairman, Ted Carr said: "Barratt have made a wonderful job of building these new homes and we look forward to working with them in future."