harpenden town council delivers affordable housing development

24 affordable new homes have been built in Harpenden providing much-needed, high-quality residences for social and affordable rent and shared ownership. The new homes will assist local families on the housing register, and help others get on the housing ladder. The Town Council is proud to have instigated and led this important development.

The land was sold by Harpenden Town Council to Catalyst, part of the Peabody Group, in 2018 with the agreement that the organisations would work in partnership, ensuring delivery of premium, affordable homes. Harpenden Town Council sold the land to the not-for-profit housing association following a thorough tender process that focused on delivering the development to the specification and housing mix that the Town Council wanted. Funds raised by the sale of land has subsequently contributed towards fulfilment of other Town Council projects including the boardwalk at Batford Springs Nature Reserve, redevelopment of several playgrounds, the new skatepark in Rothamsted Park and future Public Realm improvement projects.

The land, previously an unused allotment site, overlooks Westfield Recreation Ground and neighbouring active allotments. Harpenden Town Council was keen to improve the surrounding area and, as part of the development, has worked with the East Harpenden Gardening Club which manages the remaining neighbouring allotments to build new fencing and gates. Additionally, a wildflower embankment has been created and low level wooden fencing erected at the roadside of the recreation ground for safety and aesthetic appeal.

Working with Harpenden and District Local History Society, the partnership named the new development ‘Roan Place’, reflecting Harpenden’s historical links to horse racing. The new residential road, ‘Rolt Close’, was named after a local man who lost his life in the First World War. Herbert Robert Rolt was born in Harpenden in 1898 and lived in the Town until serving as a private in the 2nd Battalion Queens Royal West Surrey Regiment. Wounded in battle, he was repatriated but sadly died of his injuries, aged 20, and buried in St Nicholas churchyard in Harpenden.

Read our press release about this develpment here.

Any queries regarding the obtainment of a property should be directed to www.peabody.org.uk/find-a-home or call 0300 1233456.