A first look at the new housing development which is set to transform part of Stevenage has been provided by the developer currently building the homes. Miller Homes has released the first computer-generated images of its Forster Park development, detailing some of the architectural features of the properties which are set to complement its surroundings. The development, part of a joint scheme with housebuilder Bellway, is set to total almost 800 new homes off North Road in Stevenage, which also includes plans for a local centre, primary school and country park. Work has started on the first phase of new housing and Miller Homes is planning to release its first homes for sale before the end of 2023. The national housebuilder will ultimately deliver 396 homes at Forster Park, named as a tribute to EM Forster whose literature was inspired by his hometown roots in Stevenage, many of which will feature solar panels on roofs and EV charging points to properties, ensuring sustainability and green energy is at the forefront of the scheme. Alastair Parsons, area sales director for Miller Homes Midlands, said: “With work now underway at Forster Park, we are keen to show both Stevenage residents and prospective customers alike what our homes are going to look like at the development, well in advance of releasing them for sale onto the market, which we plan to do in late 2023. “The images we have released to the public demonstrate how our first phase of homes will look, featuring a contemporary style of new build housing, marking a distinct area of the site. Future phases will also have a recognisable design theme running through them, becoming more traditional in style as we near EM Forster’s family home, something we’ve worked hard to achieve as part of our planning consent for the development. “One of our principal design features is to create a sense of arrival for people when entering the development, which we’re implementing by using a contemporary style of home combined with buff brick and rendered elements to some of our housetypes within the first phase. “Forster Park is located in a desirable part of Stevenage, which we hope to elevate even further with an attractive and sustainable scheme of new housing, public open spaces, amenities and facilities for residents new and old. “We hope that when customers and ultimately homeowners arrive at Forster Park, they will appreciate the work that has gone into the site, with solar panels on roofs, as well as electric vehicle charging points, celebrating our green approach to new housing developments, standing side-by-side with our plans to create a country park to be enjoyed by all residents in Stevenage for many years to come.” Stevenage Borough Council is due to vote on the proposed 93-acre country park later this year, which forms part of the plans at Forster Park. Together with Bellway, the developers have already agreed to contribute more than £1.1 million to the Stevenage community through a Section 106 agreement signed as part of the initial planning consent granted to the developers by the council. For more information and to register interest in the Forster Park development, visit https://www.millerhomes.co.uk/new-homes/south-east/forster-park-stevenage.aspx. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals 

Lead developer Spitfire Homes has released the first images of a new neighbourhood in Daventry – Malabar.  Situated on the rural edge of Daventry, the collection from Spitfire comprises a variety of aspirational new homes catering to a range of lifestyle requirements, each showcasing Spitfire’s signature design-led approach. Striking exteriors, sympathetic to the local vernacular of the area, feature a careful selection of materials including red and black brick, ironstone and ivory render, topped with anthracite or red rooftiles. Together, these stunning homes create a variety of picturesque street scenes and set the tone for the carefully considered interiors within. Inside, open-plan layouts, sleek finishes and an abundance of natural light make these homes as beautiful as they are practical. Designer kitchens are selected from a range unique to Spitfire, while high-specification bathrooms and en suites are modern and sophisticated. With sustainability a key focus, these Spitfire homes at Malabar include features to drive low-energy consumption, including underfloor heating throughout the ground floor, with heating and hot water provided by air source heat pumps and electric car charging points.  Offering an attractively landscaped environment for community enjoyment, the site will also include over 300 new trees, three children’s play areas for the local neighbourhood to enjoy and nearly 3,000 metres of pathways and cycleways connecting the development to the town centre and surrounding countryside. Ben Leather, Managing Director at Spitfire Homes, said: “We’re excited to be releasing the first images of our collection of new homes at Malabar in Daventry. In line with our vision to create a vibrant, diverse community, this new neighbourhood will combine a mix of modern residences suitable for a wide range of audiences and budgets, from families and couples to first-time buyers, individuals and downsizers. “We also recognise that the needs of local communities go beyond quality new housing provision, therefore this scheme will bring a range of amenities to Malabar, including a primary school and a number of retail units which will create further jobs locally. We look forward to welcoming prospective purchasers and helping them to secure their dream home.”  Demand for new homes in Daventry is strong due to its strategic location at the heart of the national road network, as well as recent employment growth and investment activity. The area  also provides a sought-after rural lifestyle due to its West Northamptonshire countryside setting. Malabar is a 50-hectare new community which will ultimately comprise 1,100 new homes delivered by Spitfire Homes and Crest Nicholson. Malabar incorporates more than 20 hectares of public open space, a new primary school, nursery and community centre, alongside food and retail units. It is projected that the construction of the development will support the employment of more than 3,400 people. To find out more about Spitfire Homes, please visit https://spitfirehomes.co.uk/find-your-home/malabar/. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals 

Bellway London will build an additional 130 homes as part of a riverside regeneration project in Northfleet after securing approval from Ebbsfleet Development Corporation. Harbour Village is a landmark redevelopment which will provide a link between existing homes and the River Thames. It is being built on the former Northfleet Cement Works at Northfleet Embankment West, which has capacity for more than 500 homes in total. Bellway London is already building the first phase of 121 homes and is close to opening Chimney View Park, the first public open space at Harbour Village. On Wednesday (26/07/23) Ebbsfleet Development Corporation’s planning committee approved detailed plans for a further 130 homes in phase two of the development, which forms part of Ebbsfleet Garden City.The homes will range from two-bedroom houses to four-bedroom houses. There will be 40 affordable homes in phase two, which will be made available to local people for low-cost rent or shared ownership. The character of an existing flint wall will be retained through a flint frontage to the homes along College Road. Flint will also be also embedded into the ground in front of properties. The proposals will incorporate and retain historic features relating to the site’s rich history as a cement works, which were uncovered when construction began on site. Tom Sherriff, Managing Director for Bellway London, said: “Harbour Village is already transforming this disused site in Northfleet into an attractive and welcoming new community.“We welcome the decision to grant planning consent for the second phase of the development. “We have worked closely throughout the planning process with Ebbsfleet Development Corporation to design an inclusive and sustainable development. It includes ecological enhancements, sustainable drainage, new parkland, a heritage park, sports facilities, and electric vehicle charging points. “Harbour Village will deliver benefits to the whole community while making a large section of the riverside accessible to local residents.” Bellway London recently handed over the first homes at Harbour Village to its first new residents and a showhome will open this weekend (29/07/23). One and two-bedroom apartments and two, three and four-bedroom houses are being delivered within the first phase. The wider development will create new employment spaces, a local centre, restaurants, bars, shops and a community centre. There will also be a new expansive area of parkland, to be known as Bevan’s Park.For more information about homes at Harbour Village see https://www.bellwaylondon.co.uk/new-homes/thames-gateway/harbour-village or call the sales team on 01474 444233. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals 

Bellway Thames Gateway has acquired a parcel of land on the former site of Harold Wood Hospital in Romford, where it hopes to build 96 new homes. The housebuilder has bought the 2.83-acre site off Copse Avenue – formerly home to the hospital’s Long Term Condition Centre and now vacant – from NHS Property Services, . Bellway Thames Gateway aims to deliver a mix of one and two-bedroom apartments and three and four-bedroom houses for private sale, alongside affordable apartments available for local people through low-cost rent or shared ownership. The apartments would be delivered in two five-storey blocks, while there would be a total of 98 car parking spaces at the site. As part of the purchase, Bellway has agreed to provide 23 car parking spaces for the neighbouring NHS Harold Wood Polyclinic. Matt Waterworth is Senior Transaction Manager for NHS Property Services, which enables excellent patient care by acting as a trusted advisor to the NHS and by providing the best estate solutions. He said: “We are pleased to be completing on the sale of this site, which will enable us to reinvest funds back into the NHS helping to tackle the biggest estates challenges, unlocking greater value and ensuring patients can get the care they need in the right place and space for them.” The former hospital in Gubbins Lane began life as a convalescent home for children when it was opened by West Ham County Borough Council in 1909. It became an emergency hospital during the Second World War and was retained as a hospital thereafter. The hospital closed in 2006 after services were relocated to Queen’s Hospital in Romford and the King George Hospital in Ilford. The former hospital site is now home to the Kings Park residential neighbourhood, where plans for 810 homes were given outline planning permission in 2010. The land acquired by Bellway will be one of the final parcels of the hospital land to be redeveloped. Will Weston-Smith, Head of Land for Bellway Thames Gateway, said: “The acquisition of this parcel of land will enable us to deliver a collection of high-quality new homes in a highly sustainable location just half a mile from local amenities including shops, restaurants and convenience stores. “Our proposals will deliver much-needed new homes for the private market as well as a significant proportion of affordable housing, which will be available to local people who cannot afford to buy their own home. “The site is incredibly well located for commuters needing to get into central London. Harold Wood train station is just a 10-minute walk away and has regular services into Liverpool Street and Stratford via the new Elizabeth line. It’s also close to the A12, A127 and the M25, providing easy access to the wider road network. “We are now finalising our detailed plans for this project and are working with the local authority prior to submitting an application for the new homes later this year.” Bellway Thames Gateway is currently building new homes across London, Essex, Kent, and Surrey. For more information, visit https://www.bellway.co.uk/new-homes/thames-gateway. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals