Sovereign Housing Association is making another dent in West Berkshire’s waiting list with 22 new affordable family homes in Theale.

The project to replace the former Play Platt House sheltered housing scheme with 11 homes for rent and 11 for part-buy part-rent is about to start on site, and will be built by Pearce Group.

The £4.2m redevelopment is the latest in Sovereign’s programme to replace 400 outdated homes in the district with much-needed family homes, and the new families can expect to move in around the second half of 2008.

Sovereign Divisional Director Heather Bowman said: “We have hundreds of families on the waiting list, and with such a good range of shops and amenities, Theale is a very popular but expensive place to buy a home. That’s why we’re offering 11 houses on a part-buy part-rent basis, which is cheaper than renting privately but allows people on lower incomes to get on the property ladder.

“We’ll be working hard with neighbours to minimise disruption, and we’ll soon be approaching the local community to help us choose a new name for the scheme.”

Located off the Englefield Road to the north of Theale, the two, three and four bedroom houses are all detached or semi-detached plus two apartments, and the development will have 38 parking spaces. The density works out at 44 per hectare.

Sovereign is also investing around £250,000 in Theale to improve libraries, bus services, local roads, schools, and healthcare, to alleviate the impact of the new homes.

Published 22 August 2007
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