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New garden towns planned for Oxfordshire and North Essex (14 December 2015)

Date: 14/12/2015
Duncan Lewis, Legal News Solicitors, New garden towns planned for Oxfordshire and North Essex

The Housing Minister Brandon Lewis has announced plans to build two new garden towns at Didcot in Oxfordshire and North Essex, to provide up to 50,000 new homes and new infrastructure.

The proposals – which are being by supported by local leaders – involve plans for 15,000 new homes in Greater Didcot Garden Town, by 2031 and new Garden Communities in North Essex, with up to 35,000 new homes.

A total of £1.1 million will fund initial work towards high-quality homes, new transport improvements, schools, jobs and community amenities.

Essex County Council’s Cabinet Member for Transport, Planning and Environment, Councillor Roger Hirst said:

“We are very pleased to be working in partnership with the three local authorities to find ways to deliver the homes we need and the jobs and infrastructure which must come with them.

“The advantage of Garden Community development is that we can ensure the right provision of schools, healthcare and transport infrastructure will be in place from the start – and we welcome the opportunity to explore this fully.”

Housing Minister, Brandon Lewis said:

“I’ve been really impressed by the level of ambition and vision shown by Didcot and North Essex and their determination to deliver new sustainable communities.

“We are determined to support communities that are eager to boost the number of homes in their areas to meet local need – and this money will help get work up and running quicker.”

The government has also introduced changes to Shared Ownership rules to remove more barriers to home ownership. Under the changes, those already living in a shared ownership property will be able to move to another shared ownership home – putting an end to restrictions that stopped them using the scheme more than once.

The re-vamped scheme will allow homeowners to use the capital they have gained to move to a bigger property, as their families grow or circumstances change.

The measures are part of the government’s commitment to creating one million more homeowners over the next five years.

In Oxfordshire, a number of Housing Association tenants are now able to begin the process for owning their home under voluntary Right to Buy.

Sovereign Housing Association is one of five associations running a pilot to will help housing association tenants make the transition to home ownership.

A voluntary agreement recently reached with the National Housing Federation will ultimately give 1.3 million tenants the chance to purchase their home at Right to Buy level discounts, once the Housing and Planning Bill comes into force.

Eligible tenants at Sovereign can begin the registration process that will put them on the path to homeownership once the Bill becomes law.

Duncan Lewis Housing Solicitors

Duncan Lewis housing solicitors offer competitively priced conveyancing services to homebuyers, including guiding first-time buyers through the conveyancing process.

Duncan Lewis can also advise homeowners on a wide range of house matters, including planning applications and appeals, debt management for homeowners and mortgage repossession.

For expert legal advice on housing law, call Duncan Lewis housing solicitors on 0333 772 0409.

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