Press release

Work starts on £8.2million affordable housing development in Milton Keynes

Construction work has started on a multi-million pound development which will boost the amount of affordable housing available in the heart of Milton Keynes.

Jephson Homes Housing Association has secured a £3.2million grant from the Homes and Communities Agency towards the provision of affordable new homes at Walton Grange in Brickhill Street, Walton. The 10.5 acre site is currently being developed by DeVirgo and 53 properties will be handed over to Jephson for rent.  

Adrian Sinha, Jephson’s Development and Property Asset Manager for the East region, said: “Milton Keynes has high levels of demand for more affordable rented family housing and this development will really help to address that need. We are delighted to be involved with this scheme and to see work getting under way.”  

Guests, including Milton Keynes North East MP Mark Lancaster, Chief Executive of Milton Keynes Partnership John Lewis, and representatives from the partner agencies involved in the project, were invited to the site last week to mark the start of work.  

Mr Lancaster MP said: “This affordable housing development will enable many to make their first step onto the property ladder and help to continue the expansion of Milton Keynes. The increase in the amount of affordable housing locally is essential to the future growth of the city and I am pleased such a development is going ahead.”  

The 53 new affordable homes being built for Jephson comprise 18 two-bedroom apartments, five two-bedroom houses, 25 three-bedroom houses and five four-bedroom houses.  

The Association is proud to be providing much-needed housing in the area through a Section 106 Agreement and the properties are being completed in parcels of 10. They will be built in two phases with the final homes due to be completed during 2013.  

Ibis Project Services, a leading specialist consultancy to the housing sector first introduced the project to Jephson, which is now working in close partnership with Milton Keynes Council, developer DeVirgo and the contractors, Heyford Contracting, to bring the project to fruition.  

Russell Legg, Managing Director of DeVirgo, commented: “We are thrilled to be part of this sustainable development. Not only is the scheme a great example of effective partnership but it also provides much needed affordable homes for the benefit of local residents and is generating a significant number of construction jobs along the way too.”  

In total, the Walton Grange scheme comprises 174 high quality contemporary homes ranging from one-two bed apartments plus stylish three, four and five bedroom houses.The first phase will be released for sale this spring with an occupation date expected towards the end of this year.  

ENDS

Notes to editors:

Milton Keynes Partnership created in June 2004 is responsible for growth, development and investment in the new city.  It is a committee of the Homes and Communities Agency, the newly formed housing and regeneration agency for England, and brings together Milton Keynes Council, Local Strategic Partnership representatives from the health, community and business sectors and independent representation.

1. Jephson Housing Association Group is responsible for over 16,000 affordable homes across the country.The Jephson Group comprises three Associations, all of which are not for profit industrial and provident societies registered with the Tenant Services Authority.  

2.The principal activity of the Group is the development and management of rented housing accommodation for those in most need.In addition, the Group provides assisted housing through low cost ownership schemes and is involved in the management of former properties that are now privately owned.  

3.The Homes and Communities Agency is the Government's national affordable homes agency, formerly known as the Housing Corporation. It is responsible for investing in new affordable homes and regulating nearly 2,000 housing associations that provide some two million homes across England. The HCA's £8.4 billion investment programme for 2008-11 is its biggest ever, set to fund at least 155,000 homes. Over 100,000 of these are for affordable rent and more than 50,000 for affordable sale through the Government's HomeBuy initiatives, helping people get a foot on the property ladder.  

4. DeVirgo Strategic Projects (DeVirgo) is an independent mixed use developer that offers a practical, forward thinking and sustainable approach to the development of sites across the UK marketplace. Established in January 2009, DeVirgo offers a wealth of expertise in the property and construction sector which includes an effective response to 21^st century requirements and issues. DeVirgo operates an extensive portfolio of mixed use sites and currently manages in excess of 1000 plots. 

For further information please contact Michelle Pearson, of Word Association, on 01455 614 333 or michelle@wordassociation.co.uk