Lord Mayor hands over keys to couple's dream home

Published by Craig Downs for Keepmoat in Housing and also in Communities

A couple’s dream of owning their own home became a reality last week when The Lord Mayor of Bradford, Councillor Dale Smith, handed them their first set of keys.

Mark Boucher (26) and Jenny Wilson (24) were given the keys to their first home at Keepmoat’s Victoria Gardens development in Woodend Crescent, Shipley which will consist of 136 two and three bedroom homes when completed.

The development, in partnership with the Bradford-based social housing group, Incommunities, will include 29 affordable homes.

The couple, who are engaged to be married, had been renting accommodation for the last two years in nearby Idle and had been looking to get onto the property ladder by owning their first home.

The couple, who have purchased a two-bedroom Normanby home, said, “For around about the same price that we were paying to rent a home, we have managed to buy a brand new home that we can add our personal touches to.”

“Once we looked at the finances, it made sense to start looking for our own home and when Keepmoat started building in Shipley – it was just perfect.  We now have a home that we can settle into and plan for the future.  Keepmoat were fantastic and made our experience of buying our first home a memorable one and to receive the keys from the Lord Mayor was even better!”

The Lord Mayor was visiting the new development in Shipley last Friday to officially open a three bedroom Clarendon show home, which is ideal for couples, young professionals and families.

The Clarendon is a superbly designed and well proportioned three bedroom family home. The ground floor consists of a kitchen / diner and a light and spacious lounge which offers access to the rear garden through the double French doors. The first floor offers three good sized bedrooms, with the master bedroom including en-suite.

Incommunities properties are designed to the Government’s Code for Sustainable Homes Level 3 and all homes are exceptionally well insulated with energy efficient combination gas boilers and high standard double glazing fitted in all properties.

Geraldine Howley, Incommunities Group Chief Executive said: “We are delighted to be working in partnership with Keepmoat to deliver much needed affordable homes for local families.

“Over the past nine years, Incommunities has invested over £35 million to provide new homes across the district and to date built in excess of 400 homes for rent and for sale through shared ownership.

“This joint development is progressing well and is set to provide a significant boost to the area.”

The Lord Mayor, Coun. Dale Smith, said: “These modern new homes are ideal for families and first time buyers such as Mark and Jenny who are looking to buy their own home and I am sure it will appeal to a lot of people in and around the surrounding area.  The show home has been dressed to a very high standard and I would encourage house hunters to view it for themselves.

“I would like to congratulate Mark and Jenny for getting their new home and praise Keepmoat for this development which is not only providing new homes for local people but it is also helping to regenerate the town of Shipley.”

For further information on this development or to view the unique house type plans, please visit the show homes at Victoria Gardens in Shipley between 10am and 5pm Thursday to Monday.  Alternatively, please call Karen Lenski, Home Sales Executive on 01274 582919 or visit wwww.keepmoat.com.