ELIZABETH TRUSS WELCOMES NEW HOMES FOR SWAFFHAM

South-west Norfolk MP Elizabeth Truss returned to a site in Swaffham where she cut the first sod in October to launch the construction of 82 new homes – to officially open the show home at the site.

Mrs Truss praised local builder Abel Homes for ‘building sympathetically within the community’ – and within 48 hours, three new homes had been snapped up by eager buyers.

Watton-based Abel Homes is building 82 energy-efficient family homes on the Swan’s Nest site on the southern edge of the town – the first phase of a 50 acre site which has planning permission for 250 new homes.

Speaking to local dignitaries at the launch event, Mrs Truss said, “I’m delighted to see the progress here, having got my hands dirty digging the first sod just five months ago.  I am pleased that these new homes incorporate lots of energy-efficient technology, and will be available to purchase using the Help To Buy scheme.

“It is good to see a local builder providing new homes sympathetically within the community.”

Tony Abel, managing director of Abel Homes, added, “Swaffham has a pressing need for good quality, affordable family homes, and that is exactly what we are building here.  But it’s not just about bricks and mortar: we are creating a really attractive new community in the south of the town, and we have designed the new development, including a substantial public open space, including a large play area.

“Of course, it is no good building new homes if people can’t afford to live in them, and one of the biggest costs nowadays in running a home is energy.  Because of this, and because we are very aware of our own responsibility to minimise the impact of what we do on the environment, we have elected to build these new homes to a standard of sustainability which far exceeds that which we are required to do.

“Although the subject of new housing can sometimes be contentious, we all know that it is much needed if we are to provide everyone with a home.  What we are trying to do here at Swan’s Nest is to do that in a way which fits in with local needs, provides homes that people want to live in, that have a minimised impact on the environment – and, most importantly, in a way which enhances the local community.”

Swan’s Nest will offer a mixture of two-, three- and four-bedroom family homes.  The site is close to the Nicholas Hamond Academy and the Swaffham Leisure Centre.

More details about Swan’s Nest and the new show home can be found at www.abelhomes.co.uk.