A brand‑new community has been created in Waltham Abbey thanks to a partnership between Epping Forest District Council and Qualis.
Twenty‑eight affordable family homes have been completed at Milbourne Close, on the site of the former swimming pool, and are now home to families from the council’s housing waiting list.
The development includes a mix of 22 two‑bedroom houses and six four‑bedroom homes built by Qualis, the Council’s wholly‑owned property company and residents have now moved in.
Designed with comfort and sustainability in mind, the homes benefit from air source heat pumps providing heating and hot water, alongside features that improve energy efficiency and indoor air quality.
Outside, residents can enjoy beautifully landscaped shared spaces, complete with seating areas, bird boxes and electric vehicle charging points for every home.
Among the new residents are Mary Richardson and Cihan Koksal.
Mary had been living in the Council’s homeless accommodation before being offered a home at Milbourne Close for herself, her partner and their baby son.
“It’s amazing here – I absolutely love it,” said Mary. “The houses are lovely, the rooms are big, and having a downstairs toilet and an upstairs bathroom makes such a difference. We’ve been together for four years and this is our first home together.”
Cihan moved to Waltham Abbey from Loughton with his wife and their 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 has been so helpful and friendly.”
