New housing unveiled for Ipswich

Naomi Cassidy

A MAJOR new housing development in Ipswich has been officially unveiled.

Suffolk Housing Society's new 98-home development off Foxhall Road, which is its biggest ever single development, is now complete.

The scheme, which has been built in conjunction with Iceni Homes and Barrett Developments, has been delivered in two phases - with 72 properties built during the firs, and 26 two and three bedroom flats and houses added during the second.

Work began last June and was completed earlier this year - but now Ipswich MP Chris Mole as unveiled a plaque to mark its official completion.

The houses in the final phase, which is known as The Courtyard, have been fitted with solar panels to provide hot water and are available on both a rental and shared ownership basis.

The work cost a total of �7.5m, which included a grant of �1.2m from the Homes and Communities Agency.

The scheme fits in with The Evening Star's Fightback Campaign, which supports positive developments in the local economy.

Steve Clarke, chief executive of Suffolk Housing Society, said: “This important scheme is our biggest ever single development, and will provide high quality affordable housing, conveniently located near the centre of Ipswich, for scores of local people.

“Not only does the development offer a choice of homes to rent, but it has also provides much-needed shared ownership housing, which will give a real boost to people looking to get a first foot on the property ladder.”

Steven Wells, Ipswich Borough Council's housing portfolio holder, added: “This scheme is a major development and we are pleased to work closely with Suffolk Housing Society and our other partners.

“We are seeing more affordable housing being built in Ipswich and this is good news for people struggling to get on the housing ladder.”

What do you think of the housing situation in Ipswich? Write to Your Letters, Evening Star, 30 Lower Brook Street, Ipswich, IP4 1AN, or e-mail eveningstarletters@eveningstar.co.uk.