Ingleton Wood’s ‘great understanding of requirements’ helps deliver sustainable housing development on Norfolk/Suffolk border Tuesday, 11th February 2020

Ingleton Wood has been praised for the quality of its design services and the support the practice provided after being appointed as architects to help build a new sustainable housing development on the Norfolk/Suffolk border.

The 17 new properties were built across two separate developments in Geldeston – one comprising 13 homes by developer FW Properties and the other included four homes from social housing association Saffron Housing Trust.

In total, there are 11 family homes and six affordable properties, of which four are shared ownership – a scheme which helps first-time buyers get onto the property ladder.

There is also a large community green space and parking in the new development, built on vacant land north of Kell’s Way in the village which has around 400 residents.

Ingleton Wood advised developers FW Properties and Saffron Housing Trust to deliver the two schemes.

Richard Browes, Development Team Leader at Saffron Housing Trust, said: “We have worked with Ingleton Wood for a number of years, which has provided architectural services for our affordable housing programme.

“Ingleton Wood is very supportive and has a great understanding of Saffron’s requirements, from designs, making changes quickly, to ensuring a build programme stays on track.

“Saffron looks forward to working with Ingleton Wood in the future, bringing more affordable housing to Norfolk and Suffolk.”

Ingleton Wood acted as lead designer for the development, including dealing with planning aspects and incorporating designs.

Architect and Senior Associate Alec Hunter, who oversaw the design of the development, said: “These modern properties set in an idyllic rural location represent an important contribution to the provision of family and affordable housing for the local area.

“We are very experienced in designing thriving communities and work diligently to ensure we respect the rural nature of the local area.

“We are very pleased with the project and the demand demonstrates that family and affordable housing is much-needed in this part of South Norfolk.”

Each property benefits from Air Source Heat Pumps – an environmentally-friendly method of warming homes by taking heat from outside the property to increase the temperature inside.

Under the shared ownership scheme, a proportion of the property is bought, typically 50%, and subsidised rent on the remainder is paid. Further shares can be bought in order to eventually own the property outright.

Julian Wells, Director of FW Properties, said: “We are pleased to unveil these exceptionally well-constructed and modern properties to help meet the growing needs of family and affordable homes across the wider region.

“We were very well supported by Ingleton Wood and the Saffron Housing Trust throughout the project and we’re sure the mix of properties will serve as fantastic homes for many residents and families for years to come.”

Planning permission was granted by South Norfolk District Council and construction of the Kell’s Way development was completed in October. The development forms part of South Norfolk District Council’s Joint Core Strategy to build more houses, including affordable properties.