Pictured above: (l-r) Mike Taylor, deputy major, South
Kesteven District Council (back second left), Guy Higgins, managing
director, William Davis Ltd (back fourth right), Suzy Brain
England, chair, Derwent Living (back second right) and Peter
McCormack, chief executive of Derwent Living plant the tree with
help from residents, plus staff and pupils from Stepping
Stones day nursery
Derwent Living and William Davis Ltd have laid down the roots of
a new housing scheme in Grantham and marked the official opening
with a tree planting.
The Derby-based housing provider co-hosted a small opening
ceremony at its new housing scheme in Castlegate with William
Davis, the developer responsible for the scheme.
Local residents, along with staff from Derwent Living, William
Davis and the Homes and Communities Agency (HCA), marked the event
with a tree planting at a specially made open green area that has
been created at the heart of the development. Children from a local
nursery also attended the launch and did their bit, by helping to
plant the tree.
The scheme, which has 53 properties, was completed in September
2010 and the majority of residents have now moved in. The site has
been built with its residents in mind and developed in consultation
with the HCA's local sustainable design forum, as well as Derwent
Living's own customer design panel.
The HCA also supported the scheme with a grant of
£2.8million to build the affordable homes.
As a result the scheme was designed with the green area, for
children and residents to enjoy communally, whether that is just to
go and sit and relax or for a safe area for the children to play
in.
Suzy Brain England chair of Derwent Living says: "Castlegate is
a superb example of partnership working. It took close working with
the council, the contribution of a grant from the HCA, the input of
our residents and the expert skills of William Davis, all combined
to give us these impressive homes. What is particularly unique is
that people have the opportunity to rent here and to then buy if
possible later on. It is a scheme to be proud of."
Thirty-five of the properties provide much-needed affordable
housing whilst 18 homes are available through Derwent Living's 'Try
before you buy' initiative designed to help first time buyers onto
the property ladder.
Designed to achieve a Code for Sustainable Homes (CSH) Level 3
rating, the new homes incorporate solar panels for hot water and
heat exchangers which recycle warm air from kitchens and bathrooms
into other living areas. These additional elements ensure each home
is highly energy efficient and more cost effective to
run.
Guy Higgins, managing director, William Davis said: "The
Castlegate scheme has undoubtedly revitalised this area of
Grantham. It is impressive to see how a former supermarket site has
been transformed into much needed affordable housing for the town.
We are confident these sustainable new family homes will serve to
satisfy not only the demand for these types of properties but also
will act as a catalyst for further regeneration in the local
community."
Kitt McGrath, area manager for the HCA, said: "We are pleased to
see the finished development after being involved in the design
review process. The scheme will provide high quality, affordable
homes that will make a real difference to the lives of local
people."
For more information about Derwent Living, please visit their
website here: www.derwentliving.com