Hightown Housing Association has been given the go ahead by Dacorum Borough Council to build 158 new affordable homes and three commercial units in the Maylands area of Hemel Hempstead. This will provide much needed homes for people unable to rent or buy a home at market rates.
The new homes will bring 26 two- and three-bedroom houses and 132 one- and two-bedroom apartments for rent and shared ownership to the area. The homes for rent will go to people in housing need nominated by Dacorum Borough Council, and the shared ownership (part buy, part rent) properties will be available to aspiring homeowners.
The new development, located on Wood Lane End and phase two of the ‘Heart of Maylands’ project, will be Hightown’s largest development to date and is the second phase of the Heart of Maylands project. The first phase is located opposite and is Hightown’s current flagship development, Maylands Plaza, which is made up of 130 flats and 10 shops. It built a ‘heart’ in Maylands Business Park to retain businesses, employees and drive future investment in the area. Hightown’s head office (Hightown House) is also just over the road on Maylands Avenue.
As well as providing new homes, the development will create jobs with three commercial units bringing work places and homes closer together. The new homes will be in a very convenient location, with local shops and amenities within walking distance. The area is also well served by public transport.
The scheme is one of several projects where Hightown has purchased the land directly and will enter into a contract to build the extra affordable homes rather than working in partnership with a house builder to deliver affordable homes as a planning obligation.
Hightown is currently out to tender with the build contract. Construction is expected to start in the summer of 2021 and completed within two years.
In addition to this development, Hightown is currently building other homes on its own sites, in Hemel Hempstead, including 44 at the former Top Car site on Wood Lane, 20 on Spring Lane and four in Weymouth Street.
Hightown Housing Association is one of the UK’s fastest growing housing associations after building 477 homes last year (7% of total homes), with plans to build over 1,000 homes in the next two years.
Andrew Royall, Development Director for Hightown Housing Association, said: “We are delighted that we’ve been given the go-ahead to provide over 150 new homes in our home town of Hemel Hempstead and help local people secure long term housing. This planning permission allows us to continue fulfilling our social purpose of building as many homes as we can below market rates and offering a wide range of housing.
“We look forward to developing these much-needed affordable homes in the heart of Maylands.”
