Arundel sees first affordable homes in generations handed over

Award-winning local housing association Aster Group, working in partnership with Arundel Community Land Trust, a group formed by local residents to create affordable homes for their community, Fitzalan Estates, and Esquire Developments, has completed the first phase of construction on the town’s first general needs affordable homes since the 1950s.

Of the 27 new energy‑efficient affordable homes being built, the first seven shared ownership* homes are now available for local residents to buy. The homes will be sold to people with who work or live in the area, have family living nearby or who have lived in Arundel before to make sure local people benefit from the chance to get onto the housing ladder.

The remaining 20 homes, which will all be for social rent, will be ready during the next few months.  Social rent is significantly lower than the cost of renting a similar property privately in the same area. Also for local people with connection to the area, these comprise of a mix of six one-bedroom maisonettes, 10 two-bedroom houses and four three-bedroom houses.

Located just a 15-minute walk from Arundel town centre, the new affordable homes at Arundel Gate all come with an EV charging point, air source heat pump and an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) B rating.

Paul Summers, Chair of Arundel CLT said: “Arundel CLT was set up to ensure there will be Affordable Housing at Arundel Gate to help people with local connections being priced out of town.  We're delighted the shared ownership homes are ready, giving the opportunity for local people to get on the housing ladder. The social rent homes are also a very welcome addition to relieve pressures for local people needing affordable rented accommodation.”

Aster Group is the leading housing association provider of CLT partnerships. Chief Investment Officer, Amanda Williams, said: “This project is a fantastic example of what can be achieved when local communities, housing associations, and developers work together. In a town where the overall average house price is over £500k[1], these new shared ownership homes offer local people an affordable way to buy their own home.

“We’re proud to be playing a part in delivering the most significant boost to affordable housing in Arundel for more than three decades. These shared ownership homes and the social rent homes which will all be ready by the end of the summer, not only provide high-quality, energy-efficient living spaces, but for the individuals and families moving in they also represent safety and long-term security.”

Alongside woodland and eco-habitats Arundel Gate will also feature a maze. Henry Arundel from Fitzalan Estates which is providing the land, said: “We’re delighted to have completed with Aster on the first seven affordable homes at Arundel Gate. This marks a significant milestone in bringing new affordable housing to Arundel. We would like to thank our key partners without whom it wouldn’t have been possible – Aster, Arundel Community Land Trust and Esquire Developments.”

The new affordable homes have been designed and built with the same attention to detail and craftsmanship as the wider Arundel Gate development of 90 homes by Esquire Developments, ensuring they blend seamlessly into the community. David Braddon, Esquire Developments Director, said: “After a lot of work and effort from all involved it has been great to finally hand over the first phase of units to Aster at Arundel Gate. We hope that this sets the tone for the remainder of the project, and we look forward to handing over the remaining units and creating a wonderful environment for everyone to live.”

Arundel Gate is the first affordable housing project for The Arundel Community Land Trust. Their membership is from the community and they have a say in how the CLT is run as well as future projects. To find out more, become a member or have a question please head to: www.arundelclt.org.

[1] https://www.rightmove.co.uk/house-prices/arundel.html