Russet Homes start work to provide more local homes

Published by Barbara H for Russet Homes in Housing and also in Communities, Environment, Health, Local Government

As the tough economic climate continues to bit forcing many developers to sit on planning permission Russet Homes is forging ahead with a new development to offer 79 affordable new homes, for both rent and to first time buyers.

Russet Homes has now started building work with development partners Crest Nicholson at the former Hugh Christie School site which is supported by the Homes and Communities Agency and Tonbridge and Malling Borough Council.

As waiting lists for houses to rent continue to rise and people struggle to find the substantial deposit now needed to secure a mortgage many local families will welcome the prospect of new homes they can afford. The new properties will offer 13 two bed apartments and a mixture of two, three and four bedroom houses. Each will be built to a high specification and energy efficiency to meet Sustainable Homes Code Level 3 standard helping residents keep energy bills to a minimum.

Keith Andrews, Managing Director of Russet Homes, said: “This exciting development represents Russet Homes’ first major development in Tonbridge and Malling since joining Circle Anglia - one of the UK’s leading providers of affordable housing - and most importantly fulfils our promise to meet the challenge to secure new social housing within developments planned for the region.

“We are committed to providing so much more than bricks and mortar and giving people life chances is at the heart of our business. We remain determined to move forward in this difficult economic climate by continuing to adapt our strategies to the changing market conditions.”

James Moody, Managing Director at Crest Nicholson (Eastern), added: “We have worked hard, alongside Russet Homes, to ensure that this scheme meets the aspirations of Tonbridge and Tonbridge Borough Council, whilst going someway to provide vital help for affordable housing needs in the local area. It was also important to ensure that residents were given the opportunity to live as sustainably as possible, through the delivery of green homes. All of the homes will be built to level 3 of the Code for Sustainable Homes, with significant reductions in direct water consumption and carbon emissions. Most important of all it enables another site to commence which retains key skills and jobs within the industry at a time when the economic backdrop is still unstable.”

Part of Circle Anglia – one of the UK’s leading providers of affordable housing - Russet Homes own and manage around 6,600 properties making it the largest social landlord in Tonbridge and Malling.