Derbyshire airfield scheme gets off the ground

Derwent Living and Miller Homes have unveiled plans to build 65 new affordable properties on a former airfield site in Ashbourne, Derbyshire.

Work on the former airfield site is already underway, with the first homes ready for occupation from mid 2012 onwards.

This is one of the first schemes underway using funds from the new 2011-2015 Homes and Communities Agency (HCA) Affordable Homes Programme. The aim of the programme is to increase the supply of new affordable homes in England over the next four years.

Paul Casey, development director at Derwent Living said: “We are delighted to be able to announce our plans to develop these 2, 3 and 4 bed houses in Ashbourne. It is an area that is in great need of affordable homes. We are not only offering people the chance to rent, but we are also giving them the chance to get on the property ladder, at a time when minimum deposits and mortgage rates are still extremely high.

“This is the first time we have used funds from the new HCA Affordable Homes Programme, and we see it as a really positive step on the back of securing this much sought after support. The last few years have been difficult for everyone, but as an organisation we still want have one main goal, and that is to provide high quality, affordable housing for our customers. This is the first of our new developments using this funding.”

Andrew Noton, area land and development director for Miller Homes East Midlands said: “The availability of affordable housing is a real issue across the whole country at the moment, so we are pleased to be working alongside Derwent Living to alleviate some of that need in Ashbourne.

“Demand for affordable housing is far outweighing supply. It’s therefore important that positive steps are taken to feed people’s appetite to own their own home.”