Press Releases
Tuesdy 5th December 2006
New homes replace red dust on derelict site
With the help of house builder Persimmon, Midsummer Housing Association and South Northamptonshire Council have transformed a dirty, derelict factory site in Deanshanger into a well-designed and attractive housing development, providing affordable homes designed to meet the needs of local people.
The new scheme, known as ‘Kingsbrook’ due to a brook of the same name that runs through the centre of the site, has brought back life to an area of Deanshanger that once thrived due to the Elementis oxide factory which occupied the land. When this closed in 1999, it left the land steeped in history, but also steeped in contamination and neglect. Thanks to the new housing development, extensive remedial works have reversed the harmful effects to the land and environment and have renovated the site to form a natural extension to the beautiful rural village.
Of the five new two-, three-, and four-bedroom Midsummer homes at the site, three are for rent and two for shared ownership and they will be made available to local people who meet special eligibility criteria, agreed by the South Northamptonshire Council and Midsummer. To be eligible for this scheme, applicants must meet one of the following:
- Lived there previously for a period of at least five years.
- Have family who live in the village.
- Have permanent employment within the village.
Councillor Mary Clarke, Portfolio Holder for affordable housing, said: “This superb new rural housing scheme will meet housing needs of local people, at an affordable level. It is aimed at those people who want to set up home in the village where they have a strong local connection.”
“By working with our partners, the Council aims to address the affordable housing need in our district, while supporting the long-term sustainability of communities.”
Rebecca Scott, one of the new residents, who has four children, is absolutely delighted with her new home. “I’ve been waiting three years for a property like this to become available, and it’s going to make a huge difference to our lives. Not only is it affordable, it means my children can all go to school close to their home, and we’ll be surrounded by a network of family support already established in Deanshanger.”
The homes, completed last month, are part of Midsummer’s bigger programme to provide affordable homes in Deanshanger. Next year, they will be completing another five apartments and houses, currently being constructed by Charles Church. An existing barn on the site is being converted into two apartments and will provide a focal point for the scheme whilst retaining all the traditional external features that it currently boasts.
