33-Crest Nicholson Architecture, planning and development News 130807

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English Partnerships and Crest Nicholson bring homes to first time buyers in Milford

The Milford Hospital site has moved one step closer to a revival after the National Regeneration Agency, English Partnerships, appointed Crest Nicholson to provide around 200 sustainable new homes at the Milford Hospital site in Milford, Surrey.

English Partnerships acquired derelict land at the Milford Hospital site, two years ago, as part of its Hospital Sites Programme. Launched in 2005, the Programme aims to bring 96 redundant hospital sites across the country back into productive use.

Following a two-stage selection process, in which four developers were short listed, Crest Nicholson was selected due to its impressive plans and its ability to deliver an exceptional development. The developer fulfilled the evaluation criteria set by the agency, which included sustainability, design quality, experience of community engagement, and willingness to deliver the First Time Buyers Initiative – a low-cost home-ownership initiative introduced by English Partnerships.

The part of the hospital to the front of the site will remain open and continue to be retained by the Surrey Primary Care Trust.

Of the 12.8 hectares (ha) of acquired land, 5.6ha will be redeveloped to accommodate around 200 new build homes. Forty per cent of which will be available for shared ownership and a further 25 homes will be specifically reserved for first time buyers and key workers in the local area, as part of the First Time Buyers Initiative. This gives people the opportunity to purchase a high quality, low cost home in an area where homes are increasingly unaffordable. Additionally, all of the homes will meet the EcoHomes Excellent standard, providing effective ways of saving energy.

The remaining 7.2 ha of land will be left for open space incorporating community facilities for the residents and the wider community to enjoy at their own leisure.

David Ashworth, English Partnerships’ South East Area Director, is excited about the future of the development, he says; “The plans that Crest Nicholson submitted were exceptional. We are excited to be transforming this redundant former hospital site into a sustainable neighbourhood that will bring new residential accommodation to a site that will increase the provision of affordable high quality homes for those who are struggling to get a foot on the property ladder.”

Stephen Stone, Chief Executive, Crest Nicholson Plc, comments, “Our proposals for the Milford Hospital site drive forward Crest Nicholson’s commitment to delivering design-led, high quality sustainable homes. We continue to champion the development of sustainable technology and expect to see a 12% reduction in carbon emissions across the site. To date, we have had considerable success getting first time buyers throughout the country onto the property ladder using English Partnerships First Time Buyer Initiative. We plan to offer this scheme at Milford Hospital to local residents looking to buy their first home.”

A detailed planning application is to be submitted and, from the outset, Crest Nicholson and English Partnerships will liaise with local politicians, residents, and other stakeholders. Crest Nicholson will seek to secure planning consent and then to commence building work on the site late 2008 with a view to the first homes being occupied summer 2009. The entire development is due for completion in 2012.

Email: helene@phoenixplc.com