Pictured above: (l-r) Guy Higgins, managing director,
William Davis Ltd, Suzy Brain England, chair, Derwent Living and
Mike Taylor, deputy major, South Kesteven District Council plant a
tree to mark the official opening of the Castlegate housing
scheme
William Davis Ltd and Derwent Living have laid down the roots of
a new housing scheme in Grantham and marked the official opening
with a tree planting.
The Loughborough-based developer co-hosted a small opening
ceremony at its new housing scheme, Castlegate, with Derwent
Living, the Derby-based housing provider.
Local residents, along with representatives from William Davis,
Derwent Living and the Homes and Communities Agency (HCA), marked
the event with a tree planting at a specially made, open green area
in the heart of the development. Children from local nursery,
Stepping Stones Day Nursery also attended the launch and helped
plant the tree.
The scheme, which comprises 53 affordable homes, was completed
in September 2010 and the majority of residents have now moved in.
The site was developed in consultation with residents, the HCA's
local sustainable design forum and Derwent Living's own customer
design panel. The HCA also supported the project with a grant of
£2.8m.
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, Derwent Living said: "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 added: "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."