BUILDING WORK UNDERWAY FOR AFFORDABLE HOUSING SCHEME

BUILDING WORK UNDERWAY FOR AFFORDABLE HOUSING SCHEME

Building work on a new affordable housing development in Wisbech, Cambridgeshire, is now underway – helping to provide good quality housing for local people.

Bourne-based builder Larkfleet Homes is building the 45 property scheme at Elm Road, Wisbech, for Axiom Housing Association.

The development comprises a range of two to three-bedroom houses and apartments for affordable rent and shared ownership and will be complete in March 2009. The homes are being built in partnership with Fenland District Council.

Part of the development will allow first-time buyers to get a foot on the property ladder by purchasing part of their home and renting the rest on a shared ownership basis. The other homes will be available for local people at affordable rents.

The development meets environmental building standards which highlight Larkfleet’s commitment to creating affordable, well-built and energy-efficient homes.

The timber frame construction being used for the homes is an economical and efficient method of building which allows for a quicker construction time. The timber is sourced from sustainable forests.

The scheme is also working towards the police Secured by Design accreditation.

The scheme finally achieved planning permission to build 45 homes in October 2007. The scheme was originally granted planning permission for 29 homes but Larkfleet and Axiom had to go to appeal to gain permission for the remaining 16 homes.

Karl Hick, managing director of Larkfleet Homes, said: “We worked closely with Axiom in preparing the planning appeal, offering our expertise to help put forward the case for developing 45 homes which was eventually granted by a government inspector.

“Now we are working closely with Axiom to deliver a first class environmentally sound development on time and on budget.”

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