Twelve local families have recently moved into Wealden’s new council housing development on London Road, Hailsham

The new homes, designed by Churchill Hui architects, boast a fresh contemporary approach to traditional design, and feature zinc standing seam roofs echoing the site’s industrial past.

The properties, which have been built by Eastbourne-based contractor Trinity Homes, offer a range of one, two and three-bedroom accommodation, all with private outside space in the form of secluded gardens or large, south facing balconies.  Taking a fabric-first approach, the buildings make the most of the materials used in their construction, increasing efficiency and reducing energy consumption. The homes incorporate high levels of insulation which will help keep running costs down and further increase the affordability of these homes. Locally-sourced material and labour have been used where ever possible.

“This eye-catching development shows how carefully considered modern design can complement its surroundings with impressive results,” said Councillor Graham Wells, Wealden Cabinet member for Housing. “Leap Close will provide much-needed affordable housing for local people in an area of high housing need, and I am sure that our new residents will be very happy here.”

A further 17 homes are currently being developed on St Mary’s Avenue in Hailsham, along with a 67-unit Retirement Living Court in Uckfield.

Photo shows (L-R) : Andy Vincent, Head of Housing at Wealden; Cllr Graham Wells, Wealden Cabinet member for Housing, Ms Sarah Hollaway, resident of Leap Cross and Dan Lawes of Trinity Homes.

Work has begun on Wealden District Council’s exciting new housing project in Town Farm, Hailsham, which will create 17 new council homes on the site of the former Elizabeth Court.

The Council has appointed Eastbourne-based contractor Trinity Homes to build these new homes. The scheme, costing around £2.3million, will provide a mix of 12 flats and five houses which will be made available for rent to local people. The development is expected to take just over a year, and be ready for occupation in September 2018.

“One of our top priorities is to address the need for local housing which local people can afford to live in,” said Andy Vincent, Wealden’s new Head of Housing and Property Services. “These new properties will be a great addition to our existing housing stock, and will provide good quality, contemporary homes to help meet the housing needs of the local community.”

This project is part of the second phase of the Council’s New Build programme and closely follows the Council’s 12 home development at Leap Cross in Hailsham, which was also built by Trinity Homes. “We are delighted to have been appointed to carry out this exciting redevelopment,” said Marcus Cory, Managing Director of Trinity Homes. “We are looking forward to continuing working with Wealden District Council, and building on the successes of Leap Close.” Leap Close will be completed and handed over in mid-June.

Wealden District Council owns and manages 3,100 council houses in the District, as well as providing a range of other housing services including advice about housing options and private housing.

Photo shows (L-R): Marcus Cory, managing director of Trinity Homes and Andy Vincent, Head of Housing at Wealden District Council.

Exciting new development nears completion

Wealden’s latest council house development – an exciting mix of flats and houses in Hailsham, is nearing completion

The 12 home development at the former Leap Cross industrial site was officially ‘topped out’ last Friday with a commemorative stone inserted into the wall of one of the properties.

“We’ve included 3 one-bedroom and 3 two-bedroom flats in the mix to help cater for the increasing demand for smaller homes in the District,” said Councillor Graham Wells, Cabinet member for Housing at Wealden.

“We currently have 250 people on the Council’s waiting list for housing in Hailsham and the majority are eligible for one or two bedroom accommodation.

“The ground floor flats feature floor-to-ceiling glass windows and walled gardens while and the upstairs flats benefit from balcony views. All the properties feature stunning standing seam zinc roofing, echoing the former industrial use of the site.”

As well as six flats, the development has 4 two-bedroom houses and 2 three-bedroom houses and all feature a high degree of insulation and are wired up to take the latest satellite technology.

The development has been designed by architects Churchill Hui and is being built by Eastbourne-based developer, Trinity Homes, using local professionals to deliver a high-quality finish.

The Leap Cross development is expected to be completed in May 2017, with letting taking place in the spring 2017. Leap Cross is part of the second phase of Wealden’s New Build programme which will see 101 new council homes built by 2020 in Crowborough, Hailsham, Uckfield, and Wadhurst.

The first phase of the New Build programme saw 64 new council homes built at Willingdon, Crowborough and Forest Row.

Answering the housing need in Hailsham

With the foundations now laid, progress continues on Wealden District Council’s new build council house development at the site of the former Leap Cross business Park in Hailsham

This project, which is being built for the Council by local building contractor Trinity Homes, will deliver 12 high quality affordable homes, all with their own private outside space in the form of gardens or balconies. The development includes 3 one-bedroom maisonettes, 3 two-bedroom maisonettes, 4 two-bedroom houses, and 2 three-bedroom houses which will be made available for rent to local people from the Council’s Housing Register. The development, costing around £2,000,000, is expected to be ready for occupation in June 2017.

“One of our top priorities is to address the need for more affordable homes for local people.” said Councillor Graham Wells, Cabinet member for Housing at Wealden District Council. “Hailsham has the highest housing need of any town in the District, and these new council houses are the real brick and mortar answer to needs of our local communities.”

There are about a thousand applicants on the Council’s Housing Register, and over a quarter of these are waiting for accommodation in Hailsham.

This development makes use of a Council-owned brownfield site containing industrial units which were no longer fit for purpose. The tired old industrial units have now been demolished to make way for this high quality, attractive development providing a positive impact on the neighbourhood and delivering housing in which people will want to live.

Photo shows Councillor Graham Wells helping lay the foundations for the new development.