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A new affordable housing scheme in Upper Layham was officially opened today, with a tree planting ceremony performed by the Chairman of Babergh District Council, Cllr Sue Wigglesworth and Dr Stewart Young, Chairman of Suffolk Heritage Housing Association.
Gardener’s Close, a development of 5 bungalows, was completed in November 2005. Babergh District Council and Suffolk Heritage Housing Association, a member of Flagship Housing Group, worked together on the Scheme to provide five high quality affordable homes ready in time for Christmas occupation.
Three of the bungalows at Gardener’s Close have been let to local people on Babergh Council’s Housing Register who have a local connection with Layham. The three-bedroom bungalow is available for shared ownership and the remaining two-bedroom bungalow is for sale at a 10% discount, again for local people.
The scheme cost £433,438 to complete. In addition to the five affordable homes, a number of allotment gardens have been provided and these will be managed by Layham Parish Council and let to local people. The scheme has also provided a shared driveway around the edge of the site, which will enable residents in Upper Street and Mill Lane to gain access into their rear gardens. This will go some way towards easing parking problems.
Sue Wigglesworth, Chairman of the Council and also the local Member for Layham, said “resolving the problems around this area has been a long process. The Parish Council has worked closely with Babergh District Council and Suffolk Heritage. We hope that the tenants will be happy in their new homes for many years to come”.
Stewart Young, Chairman of Suffolk Heritage Housing Association, added: “A partnership approach between Suffolk Heritage, Babergh District Council and Layham Parish Council has contributed to the success of this new scheme. We will continue to work alongside our partners to deliver affordable homes throughout our region.”
To mark the opening of the scheme, the new tenants and allotment holders were each given a set of engraved hand gardening tools. Ipswich-based seed company Thompson & Morgan donated a selection of vegetable and flower seeds to get the gardens off to a blooming start in 2006.
Further information about affordable housing. |