Our newest development at Solomon Place, located on Lea Way in Wellingborough, is due to be completed later this summer.
The site had been derelict for several years but was formerly shops, takeaways and a launderette. We appointed contractor Lindum Group to build 23 one and two bed flats – 12 for affordable rent and 11 for Rent To Buy.
The site was named Solomon Place as a suggestion from someone on our Facebook page. The name is 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.
What is Rent To Buy?
We are now taking applications for the Rent To Buy homes which are designed to help people transition from renting to buying their own homes. 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.
Applications for the homes available under the Rent To Buy schemes are open until 5th August 2019 and anyone interested can apply here. Anyone who would like to speak to us regarding more information on the Rent To Buy scheme can email us on living@greatwellhomes.org.uk.
Affordable rent
Applications for affordable (social) rent properties need to be done via the Keyways website and are allocated by the local authority.
More information about the site
The site was purchased by Greatwell Homes (then Wellingborough Homes) from BCW and has benefitted from Homes England funding. The council compulsory purchased the site when the shops became vacant to prevent anti-social behaviour.
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.”