New affordable homes on former derelict site in Wellingborough to soon be completed [News Release – June 2019]

Greatwell Homes’ newest development at Solomon Place, located on Lea Way in Wellingborough, is due to be completed later in the summer.

The site had been derelict for several years but was formerly shops, takeaways and a laundrette. The Borough Council of Wellingborough compulsory purchased the site when the shops became vacant to prevent anti-social behaviour.

The site was purchased by Greatwell Homes (then Wellingborough Homes) from the Borough Council of Wellingborough and has benefitted from Homes England funding. Greatwell Homes appointed contractor Lindum Group to build 23 one and two bed flats on the site – 12 for affordable rent and 11 for Rent To Buy.

Greatwell Homes are now taking applications for the Rent To Buy homes which are designed to help people transition from renting to buying their own home. Under this scheme prospective buyers can rent a newly built home at an affordable rent for up to five years. After that time, they have the option to buy their home.

The site was named Solomon Place in honour of former Greatwell Homes customer Stella Solomon who was the first female police officer in Northants and lived on Lea Way for many years.

Denise Lewis, Director of Asset and Development at Greatwell Homes, said: “I am delighted that we, alongside the Lindum Group and the Borough Council of Wellingborough, have turned this previously derelict site into 23 much needed new affordable homes for local families in housing need.

“The 11 flats we have for Rent To Buy will help people who currently are unable to afford to buy a home on the open market to save for a deposit whilst paying an affordable rent enabling them to get onto the property ladder in a few years’ time. We look forward to seeing this scheme completed and welcoming 23 families into their new homes”.

Leader of the Borough Council of Wellingborough and Ward Councillor for Brickhill, Martin Griffiths, added: “Over the years this area has sadly become a target for anti social activity and the derelict appearance of the site completely upset the street scene of an otherwise attractive and very popular residential part of our town.

“We have faced a number of challenges to bring this previously disused site forward for development, including a compulsory purchase order, however, we are delighted to see how this area has transformed and is taking shape. I look forward to the opening of the new homes and the new residents moving in and calling Solomon Place home.”

Applications for the homes available under the Rent To Buy schemes are open until 5^th August 2019 and anyone interested should apply through the Greatwell Living website: www.greatwellliving.org.uk.

 

For press enquiries, please contact our Communications Team at comms@greatwellhomes.org.uk or by calling 01933 231355.