New canalside homes for Chester

The first resident at new city centre canal side homes cut the ribbon this week to launch Chester & District Housing Trust’s (CDHT’s) latest development to reach completion.

CDHT’s Suffolk House has been completed on time and to budget at a cost of £3.2 million, providing 32 city centre two-bedroom apartments for the over 55s at Francis Street, Newtown. The development is the latest of the Trust’s portfolio to be completed and closely follows CDHT residents celebrating the completion of the £12.3 million Chester Point regeneration project at Treborth Road, Blacon.

The first Suffolk House resident Jan Bartley joined CDHT chief executive John Denny, ward councillors, CDHT Board members, city panel and resident Board members at the launch.

CDHT, a lead developer partner of the Homes and Communities Agency, has completed Suffolk House as part of a £27.8 million development programme across Cheshire West. All schemes are built to Level 3 of the Code for Sustainable Homes standard. The Suffolk House project was completed by contractor Seddon, who are working in partnership with CDHT on various developments.

Speaking at the launch, chief executive of CDHT John Denny, said: “Developments like this one are the product of real partnerships. Partnerships with the residents are most worthwhile; the result here is based on talking to people and putting something on the ground that meets needs.”

Dave Soothill, CDHT assistant director – asset management & development, added: “Suffolk House delivers cutting edge city centre living at a very high standard in Chester. We have worked closely with partners such as Cheshire West & Chester Council and stakeholders, including residents, to ensure the success of Suffolk House, which is an important part of our wider development programme. We are delivering sustainable communities that signal our intent to continue to regenerate for the benefit of Chester and beyond.”