A Superb development of 10 new homes was officially opened in Hemel Hempstead on Friday May 18^th by the new Mayor of Dacorum Councillor Brian Ayling.

 

The new development, which used to be a garage site, has been named Hartcroft Court. It is located off Ritcroft Street in Leverstock Green and consists of eight 2-bedroom houses and two 3-bedroom houses.

 

The new affordable homes are owned and managed by Hightown Praetorian & Churches Housing Association (HPCHA) and are available for rent through the local authority.

 

Hartcroft Close is one of six sites in the Bennett’s End and Leverstock Green area currently being constructed as part of Phase 3 of the Dacorum Partnership. The other sites are located in Horselers, The Reddings, Lime Walk, Great Elms Road and Candlefield Road – these sites are available for rent and for sale under the shared ownership scheme.

 

The Dacorum Partnership was formed in 1997 to redevelop disused garage sites into affordable homes. The partnership is made up of Dacorum Borough Council, HPCHA, Jarvis Group Ltd, architects Johnson & Partners and surveyors Robert Martell & Partners. Under the scheme garage sites and small areas of council owned land are transferred to HPCHA to develop the new homes. Thirty-nine homes were delivered in phase 1 & 2 and 50 homes are being built under the current phase.

 

The Mayor of Dacorum, said: “I would like to congratulate Hightown Praetorian & Churches Housing Association and the builders, Jarvis, on this fantastic development. This is a great example of partnership working which has delivered affordable homes for families in the district.

 

“This is an excellent example of the regeneration of brownfield land and was delighted to be able to official open the new scheme.”

 

The new houses benefit from good-sized bedrooms, a downstairs W.C., double-glazing, a rear garden with shed and communal parking.

 

HPCHA Chief Executive, David Bogle, said: “I am delighted with this development of affordable houses. This site has been completed to the highest quality and I am pleased that local people who have a real housing need will benefit from this scheme.

 

“This scheme will not only benefit the new residents but will have a positive impact on the surrounding area and neighbouring residents. The former garage site, along with the other garage sites we are developing, became very deprived and incidents of anti social behaviour and vandalism were a real issue for the local residents and police. The new homes remove the opportunity for crime and help regenerate the whole area. I would like to thank the local residents in Ritcroft Street who have been very supportive of the whole development.”