Housing estate on hospital site opened (From Brentwood Weekly News)

Housing estate on hospital site opened

4:12pm Wednesday 17th October 2012 in Local news

HOUSES built on the site of a Victorian hospital in Brentwood have officially been opened.

Conservative MP Eric Pickles joined bosses from Chelmer Housing Partnership and Brentwood mayor Ann Coe to cut the ribbon at the Upper Highwoods development.

A selection of 13 two and three-bedroom properties for social rental were opened alongside a further eight two-bedroom homes to be sold on a shared ownership basis.

The development is part of a larger project which will see 70 homes built on the site of the former Highwoods Hospital, in Cleves Avenue.

Part of the funding for the development was provided through a £1.7million grant from the Homes and Community Agency.

Martin Dean, chairman of the association, said: “We are delighted to be able to launch a development we are rightly very proud of.

“As a company that likes to identify with the areas where we work, we are committed to creating sustainable communities and to providing local people with the homes they require.”

At the opening ceremony, Mr Pickles, MP for Brentwood and Ongar, said: “This has turned out to be a very exciting development.

“There is a fantastic blend between affordable and private housing which is all within walking distance of the town centre. “It’s a lovely place to call home.”

Mrs Coe added: “When we were driving in I was thinking ‘what a unique development this is’. It has been truly enhanced by converting the existing buildings into lovely homes.”