Children help MP open much-needed new affordable homes

Published by awalsh for Sanctuary Housing Association in Housing

School children helped Mark Francois MP officially open the first in a number of new housing developments which are creating much-needed affordable homes for Rochford district residents.

The 23 one and two bedroom apartments, in Rawreth Lane, Rayleigh, are already proving popular after being developed and made available for affordable rent by Rochford Housing, part of Sanctuary Group.  

On 29 June Mr Francois met with youngsters from St Nicholas CofE Primary School to officially mark the completion of the development and to take a tour of the new apartments which share a roof terrace.

Mr Francois and the school pupils have been involved in the project since the very start, when they buried a time capsule on site.

The children were also given the chance to name the new apartments as part of a competition. Eight-year-old James Dawbarn picked the winning entry Saxon Court, which was inspired by the discovery of an early Saxon burial site in Rawreth Lane. 

Simon Clark, Sanctuary’s group director – housing and communities, said: “This is the first in a number of new housing developments we have planned for Rochford, which should really make a difference for people struggling to afford a home in the area. 

“It has been great to have the local school and Mark involved in the Saxon Court development, which has been an important step towards our aim of helping more people find top quality, energy efficient homes that they can afford.” 

Rayleigh and Wickford MP, Mark Francois, said: “I am delighted to join with the pupils from St Nicholas Church of England Primary School to officially open Sanctuary’s new development at Saxon Court.

“Sanctuary now has a programme to build new affordable housing across the district over the next few years and this development is their ‘down payment’ on that programme, as it were.

“It is very good that we are able to provide these affordable homes for local people and I look forward to Sanctuary doing more of the same over the next few years, to the benefit of my constituents.”

The development of Saxon Court has been part funded by the Government’s Homes and Communities Agency.

Work has already been completed on three new affordable homes in Rectory Road, two more housing developments are underway in the district and investigations are taking place for future affordable housing developments.