AUG 2010 - Sentinel ends deadlock for affordable homes in Surrey Heath

Work has started to deliver the first affordable homes in Surrey Heath for more than two years, after we teamed up with two developers to help drive down district waiting lists.

In Bagshot, we're working with Camberley-based Charles Church Southern on a £14m project to deliver 55 rented and 36 shared ownership homes next to Notcutts Garden Centre on the A30.

We will hand over the keys to families, couples and individuals on the local waiting list in November 2011, ending years of uncertainty while the Thames Basin Heath Special Protection Area planning restrictions were resolved at national level.

Meanwhile, in Frimley, work has also started to provide 15 new affordable homes – developed by Banner Homes – at the former Clewborough School site on St Catherine’s Road.

Our Chief Executive Martin Nurse said:" With housing waiting lists in the South East at an all time high, and an average house costing £270,000 in Surrey Heath , people on an average wage of £28,000 need to be earning at least three times their salary to be able to afford to buy a home.

"There is a tremendous need for affordable housing to rent and shared ownership to help people on lower incomes have a good home. We’re very pleased to be working with Surrey Heath Borough Council providing affordable housing for local people at Notcutts.

"These homes play an important role in helping to create and maintain sustainable communities, and for local people to remain near their families and communities in the areas where they grew up."

Christopher Cain, Area manager at the HCA, added:” We have worked with our partners at Sentinel and Surrey Heath to enable the delivery of this much needed affordable housing, and are pleased that our funding has been a significant contributory factor in their delivery.”

*statistics from NHF Home Truths 2009