As part of the Braintree Housing Partnership, Home was chosen by Braintree District Council to regenerate this area of Bailey Bridge Road.
At an estimated cost of £9.5 million, with substantial funding from Braintree District Council, work is taking place in two phases to create 71 houses, flats and bungalows. Forty of these are now available with the second phase comprising 31 homes due to complete in January 2010.
Properties are available for rent, shared equity and private sale and with prices starting from £152,500 for a two-bedroom house, it is an ideal opportunity for local people to join the property ladder.
A disused allotment site, which had become neglected and unsightly, has also been incorporated into the new design, providing space for private and communal gardens. A local artist is being commissioned to design a piece of public art for the communal gardens.
Proceeds from the outright sale properties will contribute greatly to the cost of the regeneration work. As with all Home developments The Oaks will become a mixed-tenure community, providing existing residents with brand new and improved homes, whilst giving other local people a chance to rent or join the property ladder.
Alan Baldwin, Regional Development Director (based Harlow) says: “Both the Council staff and our development team have excelled at involving residents throughout the development process. Bailey Bridge is a perfect example of tailoring the design to meet the needs of existing communities.”
Resident Esther Curtis who has lived in Bailey Bridge for 15 years and is one of the Residents Liaison representatives says: " This is the start of a new venture - going from a flat to a brand new house. The bond between the council and Home has been a great help to the residents as Bailey Bridge Road undergoes its transformation".