Sought-after East-Herts village gets first new affordable homes in a decade

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Hannah Rennie (Land and New Business Manager B3Living), Andrew Boakes (Developer), Jon Hayden (Executive Director Housing, B3Living), Jonathan Geall (Head of Housing and Health East Herts Council), Cllr Peter Boylan (Executive Member for Neighbourhoods at East Herts Council), Steve Woodcock (Chief Executive B3Living) Photo credit: Steve Marsh – SKM Photography
Sought-after village, Braughing near Ware, has received its first new affordable homes in a decade.

B3Living press release issued 27 July 2022:

New three-bedroom family homes have been delivered by local housing association, B3Living, as part of the planning agreement negotiated between East Herts District Council and the developer. Cllr Peter Boylan, Executive Member for Neighbourhoods at East Herts Council and Jon Hayden, B3Living’s Executive Director (Development), celebrated the official opening of the completed properties on Wednesday, 27 July.

The affordable homes form part of the planning agreement for the exclusive eight-property Saffron Ground Gardens development, built by Andrew Boakes Development Ltd.

Of the three houses, two have already been let with affordable rents to families from the council’s housing register and the third is being offered as part buy, part rent through the shared ownership scheme.

At the visit, Cllr Boylan commented: “I am delighted these affordable homes are now available in such a sought-after area of the district. We are proud to have increased the number of affordable homes in the district by 10% over the last decade, compared with the national average of 3%, and I’m very pleased that our villages as well as market towns are seeing an increase in much needed affordable homes to rent and buy for local people.

“And on top of making renting or buying a home affordable, running costs will be kept low due to the high energy efficiency standards including efficient gas boilers and low energy lighting.

“We recently launched our Housing Strategy for 2022-27 and are committed to delivering more affordable housing and enabling a wider range of accommodation to provide targeted support for our most vulnerable residents. These affordable houses in Braughing form one of many developments that will be delivered over the coming years to support our plans for housing provision across the district.” 

Voted Village of the Year for Hertfordshire in 2012, the historic village of Braughing has seen a significant demand for affordable housing. Last year average prices for a detached house exceeded £800,000.*

Jon Hayden, from B3Living, commented: “When rent and house prices shoot up in highly-regarded villages, like Braughing, it’s typically those who are already part of the community or who grew up in the area that lose out. These new affordable homes represent a vital opportunity for local people.

“We are very excited to see families move in and are delighted to announce that the shared ownership home has just been reserved. It’s excellent to help a young family to get on the ladder in such a desirable location.”

B3Living currently manages more than 250 homes in East Herts. Its sales-brand, B3@Home, is also selling shared ownership homes in Bishop Stortford and Bengeo, near Hertford.

For details of shared ownership opportunities across East Herts visit https://www.sharetobuy.com/shared-ownership-east-hertfordshire/

*Rightmove, July 2022

ENDS.