A new community has been created in Waltham Abbey through a partnership between Epping Forest District Council and Qualis.
28 affordable new family homes at Milbourne Close – on the site of the old swimming pool – have been let to families on the council’s housing waiting list.
The mix of 22, 2-bedroom houses and 6, 4-bedroom houses – developed by Qualis, the Council’s wholly-owned property company – were completed in December and tenants moved in during January.
They benefit from air source heat pumps delivering heating and hot water as well as systems designed to improve energy efficiency and indoor air quality.
Outside there are beautifully landscaped communal areas with seating, bird boxes and electric vehicle charging points for each home.
The development was officially launched with a visit by EFDC councillors and officers from Epping Forest District Council and Qualis.
Chairman Louise Mead with her daughter Daisy, alongside tenants of Milbourne Close, and EFDC CEO Andrew Small, Housing Director Dawn Harrisson, EFDC councillors Cllr Smruti Patel and Cllr Ray Balcombe, and Qualis’ Ben Johnson, Sacha Jevans and Shanaz Begum.
Chairman Louise Mead and her daughter Daisy, accompanied by EFDC CEO Andrew Small and Housing Director Dawn Harrisson, alongside EFDC Cllr Smruti Patel and Cllr Ray Balcombe, and Qualis officers Shanaz Begum, Sacha Jevans, Ben Johnson and new Milbourne Close tenants, cut the ribbon on the new development.Mary Richardson and Cihan Koksal are some of the new tenants.
Mary had been living in North Weald at the Council’s homeless accommodation and was offered one of the houses with her partner and their baby son.
“It’s amazing here, I absolutely love it,” she said. “The houses are lovely. The rooms are big and there’s a downstairs toilet and upstairs bathroom. We’ve been together for four years and this is our first home together.”
Cihan moved from Loughton to Waltham Abbey with his wife and two children aged six and nine.
“It’s perfect, much better than we expected,” he said. “We’re getting to know our neighbours and everyone is so helpful and friendly.”
New redbrick terrace houses in Milbourne Close, with parking out front including charging pods for each space.
“The development will breathe new life into this brownfield site that has been unused for several years,” said Cllr Smurti Patel, Cabinet Member for Housing.
“More importantly though, it will provide much-needed new affordable homes in Waltham Abbey.”
New terrace houses in Milbourne Close, with landscaping out the front
Sacha Jevans, Qualis Group Managing Director added: “The properties are part of a wider EFDC initiative to build more affordable housing across the district.
“We were proud to be involved in this project which couples modern homes with affordable rents, and I was delighted to meet some of the tenants and hear their stories.”
The new road linking the houses in Milbourne Close, with landscaped features, a bench, and cycle rack.
Red brick townhouses featuring coach-house driveway
The new housing development features beehives amongst a landscaped flower area.