Chester gets £8.7m affordable homes investment

May 30 2008 by David Holmes, Chester Chronicle

AFFORDABLE homes are in prospect thanks to an £8.7m investment.

Chester City Council received a £5.4m grant from the Housing Corporation including more than £3m earmarked for Chester & District Housing Trust (CDHT) who will match-fund this sum.

Three housing schemes are planned on CDHT land with two in rural locations and one in the city at Suffolk House.

A total of 81 new homes will be provided – with 55 for rent and 26 for low-cost home ownership.

Building work will start later this year and completion is expected in late 2010.

CDHT will be working in conjunction with the PLUS Harvest Development Partnership to develop a range of new properties for rent, shared ownership, and outright sale.

Councillor Mike Jones, executive member for development on Chester City Council and Cheshire representative for the North West Regional Housing Group, said: “This project shows how careful use of resources can deliver first class accommodation for those who need it when we work closely with our partners in Chester. Providing more affordable homes is a top priority for Chester City Council.”

Paul Knight, CDHT executive housing manager, said: “This is great news for Chester and goes some way to helping alleviate the requirements locally for affordable homes. We look forward to working with all our partners on this project. CDHT has a track record in delivering value and valued homes; homes that people want to live in.”

Current CDHT projects include the £12m regeneration of the Treborth Road area of Chester, to include 200 new homes for rent, sale and shared ownership, as well as a village green and wildlife habitats.

For more details visit www.cdht.net