Work starts on new rural development

Grand Union Housing Group (GUHG) has announced that work is now underway on a new affordable housing development on a rural exception site in Shillington.

The project, which is part of the Group’s Affordable Housing Programme, will provide 11 new homes for residents with a local connection to the village or surrounding areas.

Dave Lakin, GUHG’s Head of New Business and Development, said: “We are delighted to be able to start work on this project that will provide local people with affordable housing.

“This is part of an extensive development programme in partnership with the Homes and Communities Agency, which will mean we can build more than 400 new homes over the next few years.”

The scheme has been shaped by a housing needs survey of the local area and the homes, which will be managed by GUHG subsidiary Aragon Housing Association, will be offered for affordable rent and shared ownership.

Jon Boswell, Deputy Chief Executive of Bedfordshire Rural Communities Charity, said: “There is a real need for affordable housing for local people in many Bedfordshire villages. Our survey in Shillington back in 2007 showed that a number of households needed new affordable housing in order to keep living in the parish. We are delighted that, based on this evidence, Grand Union Housing Group has been able to bring forward a small development in Shillington.”

The announcement comes after planning permission for the development of this project was granted in May 2012.

As part of GUHG’s commitment to deliver on quality, the contract for the project has been awarded to local builder, VE Parrott Builders Ltd.