A young mother from Stratford who had faced being priced out of buying a home in the area has been helped onto the property ladder by Jephson Homes Housing Association. 

Stephanie Rowe has bought a shared ownership property in Bishopton Lane, Stratford, one of the first homes to be completed in a new £3.3million housing development being built on the site of a former egg packing plant. 

Stephanie (26) is all set to move in to her new home along with her three-year-old daughter Sophia. She was delighted when the house became available to buy through Jephson's shared ownership scheme as she is from Stratford and the home is close to both her work and Sofia's nursery. 

Stephanie said: "I bought as a shared owner as this was realistically the only way I'd be able to afford a home and in such a great area, as Stratford properties are very pricey. It's very exciting to become a homeowner. It's a relief to know that I won't have a landlord telling me he wants to sell up and I would need to move out. 

"I know there are a few shared ownership houses for resale, but they tend to be at a higher share and more expensive so Jephson have a great scheme in place to help others like me."

Jephson has worked in partnership with Stratford District Council and handover of the 29 new homes will take place in phases, with everything due for completion by June 2012.  The properties are part of a larger development, which will provide 77 new homes for private sale. 

When complete the new Jephson development will be made up of:

Shared ownership: four two-bedroom homes, three three-bedroom homes, one four-bed home.

For Rent:  five two-bedroom flats, six two-bedroom houses, six three- bedroom houses and four four-bed homes .