24/03/2021
New affordable homes transform derelict site in Norfolk
A derelict site that had been empty for almost 15 years has been transformed with the introduction of 43 new homes. Flagship Group’s new development on Laundry Loke in North Walsham, using funding by Homes England, offers 32 homes available at affordable rent and 11 shared ownership properties.
A mixture of one- and two-bedroom apartments, two-, three- and four-bedroom houses and one- and two-bedroom bungalows are now available for tenants to move in.
Tony Tann, Managing Director of Flagship’s development company said: “We’re delighted to be welcoming our first tenants to Laundry Loke, which has been carefully designed to accommodate families, couples and people living on their own.”
Making homes available and affordable for all is easy to say, but hard to deliver on. House prices in Norfolk are on average ten times the average income and the region also has the most second homes in the East – making it difficult for local people to have a place to call home.
Tann continues: "Laundry Loke creates opportunities for people to get onto the property ladder and plays a key part in helping us to achieve our goal of solving the housing crisis in the East of England.
There are a lot of tough challenges to crack but by bringing more affordable housing to the area and making home ownership more accessible, we can provide more homes for people who need them and bring benefit to both our customers and our communities.”
Barbara Harrison, a resident who lives next to Laundry Loke said: “I’m really impressed with the new development - I think it’s fab! It’s exactly where homes should be – renovating sites like the unsafe and unsightly land that was there before. It’s been well thought-out, with the homes turned inwards towards the green area, keeping the village’s pleasant look and feel.
“It’s so important that affordable homes are available to local people. I hope the people that move in enjoy the area and live happy lives”.
The homes have been built by Hill with the local community in mind, as well as the planet. Hill has a long track record of delivering distinctive, quality homes in the East that are environmentally friendly and efficient to run.
Robert Jack, Regional Director at Hill said: “Laundry Loke is a fantastic example of ‘building back better’. It’s a great achievement and shows the importance of working together to achieve shared goals. It has been a long time in the making, with some challenges to overcome but Hill has completely remediated the former laundry site – we’re delighted with the outcome.”