New housing scheme delivers 24 affordable homes in Chelmsford
Reservoir Close, a development designed to offer only affordable housing, has welcomed its first residents, marking a significant step forward in addressing local housing need.
The new residential development offers 24 high-quality affordable homes, split evenly between 12 shared ownership properties and 12 affordable rental homes.
Reservoir Close has been delivered through a partnership between Delta Housing, Chelmsford City Council, and Homes England. It follows a land-led development model whereby a registered provider, such as a housing association like Delta Housing, acquires land for the purpose of delivering affordable housing.
The scheme was supported by £1.44 million of investment from Homes England and Chelmsford City Council, highlighting what can be achieved through collaborative investment.
The development will help provide larger affordable family homes for Chelmsford families. Image courtesy of Delta Housing. Photo by Steve Brading
Helping to meet urgent local housing need
Reservoir Close directly addresses an acute shortage of larger family homes for rent in Chelmsford. In the last financial year, the number of local families in the highest priority band on the Chelmsford City Council Housing Register needing four-bedroom homes rose from 71 to 109. Of these, 81 families were homeless or in temporary accommodation and were often forced outside Chelmsford due to a lack of local housing. During that same period, the council had only two four-bedroom homes available to allocate.
Reservoir Close helps bridge this gap by providing seven three-bedroom houses and four four-bedroom houses, including a vital wheelchair-adapted property.
Future-proof homes for families
Each property has been designed to meet the Future Homes Standard, which requires new homes to be energy efficient, reduce carbon emissions and have lower running costs for residents. The houses are equipped with solar panels, heat pumps and electric vehicle charging points and all achieve an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) rating of Band B or higher. The scheme also prioritises sustainability through a fabric-first approach, proactively choosing materials and systems for a building’s walls, roof, floors, windows, and doors to reduce energy loss and using timber-frame technology to create strong and sustainable building structures.
Councillor Kieron Franks, Cabinet Member for a Fairer Chelmsford said:
“"Chelmsford families deserve a safe place to live, in good condition and as close to work, school and community facilities as possible. To make this happen, we desperately need larger affordable family homes in our area, and this attractive exemplar development has already helped 11 local families living in unsuitable and overcrowded accommodation to move into bigger, more suitable homes.
Councillor Kieron Franks, Cabinet Member for a Fairer Chelmsford
"This development is a fantastic example of how affordable housing can be designed to meet the needs of local people. Many families are worried about rising bills, and this shows that keeping energy costs low and protecting the environment is not a trade-off, but instead a very achievable goal."
The new homes are designed to be energy efficient and reduce carbon emissions. Images courtesy of Delta Housing. Photo by Steve Brading
A celebration of community
To celebrate the first residents moving into their new homes, the Mayor of Chelmsford, Councillor Lynne Foster, participated in a ribbon-cutting ceremony with representatives from Delta Housing, Homes England, Chelmsford City Council, chartered surveyor Oxbury and construction partner Marfleet & Bradshaw.
The event was also the perfect opportunity to unveil a bespoke art installation at the heart of the development created by artist Lisa Hawker. Crafted from frostproof stoneware clay, the piece was inspired by Marconi’s first transatlantic radio signal which was transmitted from Chelmsford.
Who can apply for social housing in Chelmsford?
People who meet certain eligibility criteria and have a genuine housing need can apply to join Chelmsford’s Housing Register.
Applicants must be aged 18 or over, have a local connection to Chelmsford and be able to demonstrate a housing need - for example, they live in an overcrowded home, are at risk of homelessness, or have a medical condition affected by their current home.
Those who are subject to immigration control are not eligible to apply and people who can afford their own housing or have significant savings are unlikely to qualify. Applicants who have recently been evicted for rent arrears or anti-social behaviour may also be refused.
As social housing is allocated based on priority need, meeting the criteria does not guarantee an offer of a home so is important to consider other options. You can find out more about housing services on the Chelmsford City Council website.
