Aylesbury is set to welcome a collection of 75 new homes following the signing of a joint venture between affordable housing contractor, Wates Living Space and the Homes and Communities Agency (HCA).

The £9m scheme will comprise 49 homes for private sale, 20 for affordable rent and six for shared ownership, split across a mix of one and two bedroom flats and two and three bedroom houses. Catalyst Housing (one of the leading housing associations in London and the South East) will take over ownership of the affordable rental and shared ownership homes upon completion.

Named Drake's Place, the development will be built on Oxford Road, formerly the location of Bearbrook House, with construction commencing later this month.

The scheme's go-ahead follows Wates Living Space’s successful bid to transform the brownfield site as a result of a design competition held through the HCA’s Delivery Partner Panel (DPP1) Framework. A joint application by Wates and the HCA was granted planning permission by Aylesbury Vale District Council earlier this year.


Initial preparatory works will start on the site – the former location of Bearbrook House on Oxford Road, Aylesbury – this month, with construction due to begin in mid-November 2013. The first homes are expected to be completed and ready for occupation by late summer 2014. They will be built to high standards of energy efficiency (Level 4 under the Code for Sustainable Homes) with all properties completed to the same specification and quality.

Wates' delivery of the scheme brings with it a commitment to provide a comprehensive training and employment programme for the people of Aylesbury as the site progresses. This will include the appointment of a number of site-based apprentices through Wates and the supply chain and the provision of construction skills work placements for students at Aylesbury College.

The homes for affordable rent and shared ownership will be managed by Catalyst Housing (one of the leading housing associations in London and the South East) upon completion.

Andy Doylend, Partnership Housing Director at Wates Living Space, said: "What Wates Living Space has succeeded to do in partnership with the HCA in Aylesbury is put together an innovative scheme to bring this redundant brownfield site, which has lain vacant for years, back into use to provide much-needed homes for the local community.

"It is our express intention to use our JV with the HCA to create employment and training opportunities for students and those who are unemployed and ensure our presence on site makes a tangible difference to the lives of local people."

(CD/MH)