New properties are proving popular on a residential development in Tiverton, Devon, where local developer Devonshire Homes has already sold of 12 homes at its town centre scheme.
Devonshire Homes' development at Gilbert Scott Way on the former Belmont Hospital site attracted £2m in investment through the Homes and Communities Agency’s Get Britain Building progreamme and comprises a mix of affordable and open market houses.
Included in the first stage of completions are 12 affordable homes that have been sold to DCH and 12 open market homes. Of these open market homes, four have been purchased under the Help to Buy scheme.
Donna Hill bought her two-bed home at Gilbert Scott Way before the first bricks were even laid on the foundations.
She was also the first to move in when the first homes in the build were completed late last year. “I’ve lived in Tiverton all my life and wanted a brand-new home with all the guarantees that offers,” said Donna.
"As soon as the site opened I was there, and all I saw was a floor plan and illustration of what the house would look like. I can honestly say love it! It feels like home already. It’s going to be a really nice complex when it’s complete, and I’m looking forward to seeing everything come together.”
Thirteen more homes will be ready for occupation between January and April and further releases from the second phase of the development are due in the spring 2014.
Steve Russell, Managing Director at Devonshire Homes, added: “Gilbert Scott Way is a prime example of how vacant sites can be converted into much-needed housing to make the most use out of previously developed land. As well as new homes there will be a range of apartment conversions within the Grade 2 listed buildings.”
Steve Jackson, HCA Area Manager, said: “This project is playing a key part in the wider regeneration of Tiverton town centre by bringing new and affordable homes to the area. We have worked closely with partners over recent years to bring this development forward in the face of the economic downturn. It’s great to see local people like Donna are now benefitting from partners’ investment and I am sure that others will welcome the progress that has been made in regenerating this important part of town.”
Work has already started on phase three of the development to convert the existing main building into apartments and the removal of the neighbouring derelict Twyford building. In total, the development will provide 103 new homes and is scheduled for completion in March 2015.