First homes at roof stage at new affordable housing scheme in Moggerhanger, Bedfordshire

Construction work is progressing at a scheme of 33 homes located off Bedford Road (A603) and Park Road in the Bedfordshire village of Moggerhanger. Living Space Housing has installed the roofs on the first tranche of homes at the 3.6-acre site, which has a project development value in excess of £7m.

The development lies opposite the historic park and woodland of the Grade I listed Moggerhanger Park. All of the homes are being delivered on behalf of Hightown Housing Association, with 15 being marketed for shared ownership and 18 available for affordable rent. The first completed homes will be available during the autumn, with the whole scheme scheduled for completion in 2022.

Paul Breen, Commercial Director at Living Space Housing said: “We are delighted with how work is progressing at this development site, which benefits from an enviable location next to Moggerhanger Park, and easy access to the train station and market town facilities in nearby Sandy. With internal works now well underway, the first tranche of homes will be handed over to Hightown Housing Association this autumn.

“This is our first project with Hightown Housing Association, and it is also our first live development in Bedfordshire. Our team has worked extremely hard to ensure all guidance regarding social distancing and hygiene is adhered to at all times. We are grateful for the support from our sub-contractors, consultants and the Hightown team, which will enable these much-needed affordable homes to be delivered within the coming months.”

Moggerhanger is a small rural village, where there is a chronic shortage of new homes. The land was previously unused and designated for agricultural uses. The spacious scheme has been created by residential design specialist A2 Urbanism & Architecture and the layout consists of 10 two-bedroom homes (two of which are bungalows), 18 three-bedroom designs, and five four-bedroom executive homes. The new homes are being constructed with a mixture of red brick and render, and an area of public open space has been incorporated into the scheme design to encourage safe family play. All homes will also have private rear gardens and a generous provision of soft landscaping to fore gardens.

Alison Laing, Development Department Head of Projects for Hightown Housing Association said: “We are very pleased to be working with Living Space to provide these high-quality new homes, as the small traditional community of Moggerhanger has seen very little development for many years. Meanwhile, the demand for housing across Central Bedfordshire has never been higher. The mix of homes that we are offering for affordable rent and shared ownership will mean there will be a suitable and affordable option for families and individuals alike. This is all part of Hightown's record breaking development programme this year as we plan to build over 700 new homes.”

Moggerhanger is situated on the A603, two miles from the A1 at Sandy. It is just four miles from the A421 Bedford bypass and 20 minutes from the M1. The village is easily accessible from London, Cambridge, Milton Keynes, Birmingham and Oxford.

Living Space has six other affordable housing developments currently under construction located in Herefordshire, Worcestershire, Oxfordshire and Shropshire.