Press Releases

25th October 2004

 

Five Give Towcester a Racing Start!

 

Residents at Midsummer Housing Association’s new scheme at London Rd (Laurel Place) Towcester, have an unusual extra - an excellent view over the Towcester racecourse!

 

David Higgins, Chief Executive of national regeneration agency English Partnerships, officially opened the 23 apartments and a second scheme for 47 homes at Burcote Fields on Friday 22 October 2004. Lateral thinking by five private and public sector organisations made the £10.6million schemes possible, providing a real choice of high quality homes for local people.  

 

Mr Higgins commended the mixed tenure development, saying: 

 

“English Partnerships felt this development would be of long term benefit to the community and was keen to work with local partners to make these homes a reality.  We help create communities where people can afford to live and want to live and this development certainly does both.” 

 

The two sites, at London and Burcote Road, Towcester, formally a disused petrol station and factory site respectively, were originally intended for private sale by developer Bloor Homes. These homes would have been well beyond the reach of many local families, so essential to the local economy. Midsummer, English Partnerships and Bloors agreed an imaginative alternative, allowing affordable homes to be built on the two sites in exchange for additional private housing elsewhere. 

 

“These developments are an excellent example of what can be achieved through partnership working. Our thanks to English Partnerships, the Housing Corporation, South Northamptonshire Council and Bloor Homes, who have helped us create a real choice for 70 local families,” said Felicity Evans, Chair of Midsummer Homes HA. 

 

The developments provide a mix of high quality apartments and houses for rent and shared ownership and have been let or sold to nominees from South Northamptonshire’s Council waiting list.