Ref: PRSH51
Date: 19th May 2015

Official launch of £4.4 million SARH apartment scheme

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Stafford and Rural Homes (SARH) has officially opened William Horton Court, its flagship £4.4 million housing developmentinForegate Street, Stafford.

As one of his first official engagements, the newMayor of Stafford Borough, Councillor Peter Jones, joinedSARH Chief Executive Karen Armitage and Christine Addison,Executive Director, Midlands, Homes and Communities Agency,in cutting a ceremonial ribbon across the main entrance of the prestigious development.

The Mayor was also amongst invited guests who attended a receptionat SARH head office on Staffordshire Technology Park to mark the occasion yesterday(Monday, May 18) before taking a guided tour of the new homes.

SARH worked closely with Stafford Borough Council to develop the scheme, which comprises18 one-bedroom and 27 two-bedroom apartments close to the town centre. Built by developer Kier Partnership Homes to a high specification, the spacious apartments also meet Code for Sustainable Homes Level 3.William Horton Courthas also been supported with £900,000 of funding from the Homes and Communities Agency's Affordable Housing Programme.

William Horton Court is helping to satisfy growing demand for quality, affordable homes for people who need accommodation in the town centre of Stafford. Ideally suited to single people, couples and families, the development's proximity to town centre employment, easy access to retail and leisure facilities and excellent transport links have already helped toregenerate this area of Stafford.

Other guests at the launch event includedChris King, Managing Director of Kier Group, Patrick Farrington, the Leader of Stafford Borough Council, Mayoress Mrs Joy Jones and SARH customers who have already moved into William Horton Court.

Karen Armitage, Chief Executive at Stafford and Rural Homes, said: "Our aim is to create great places to live, work and grow. We are committed to developing high-quality accommodation within easy reach of local services and opportunities to work and learn.

"Stafford and Rural Homes makes a point of pursuing opportunities and seeking to bring about growth in the local economy by investing in solid, value-for-money partnerships with like-minded companies and we are delighted that we have managed to achieve this with William Horton Court.

"The response to this scheme has been fantastic. With a wide appeal to residents who live and work in the town, people who want to live in Stafford and commute to work outside the area and those who want to ‘right size' their home, William Horton Court has proved to be our most popular development yet."

Patrick Farrington commented: "It's fantastic to come here and see the completed project. These homes are just what the town needs to meet the needs of people looking for quality, affordable homes in the town."

Christine Addison added: "This is a real example of a housing association working in partnership with the local authority and other organisations to deliver an excellent housing project of the kind that the Homes and Communities Agency is keen to support."

Over the next four years, Stafford and Rural Homes has an ambitious programme to build 300 new homes, which will be delivered by working in successful partnership with a consortium of Housing Associations, Stafford Borough Council and private contractors. Current projects include Highfield Close in Swynnerton, a £2.2 million development of affordable new homes on the former site ofSwynnerton RC Primary School, a smalldevelopment built on a rural exception site in the village of HixonandFriars Terrace,a £4.6 million development of 43 two- and three-bedroom homes for rent and shared ownership.

Caption:

Pictured at the official openeing are (from left to right):Christine Addison,Executive Director, Midlands, Homes and Communities Agency, Patrick Farrington, the Leader of Stafford Borough Council; Mayoress Mrs Joy Jones; Mayor of Stafford Borough, Councillor Peter Jones; Karen Armitage, Chief Executive of SARH;Ella Daniel and Lucy Anne Spencerfromnearby Graham Balfour School(who helped come up with the name William Horton Court) and Chris King, Managing Director of Kier Partnership Homes.

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Editor's Notes

About Stafford and Rural Homes:

Stafford and Rural Homes is a Times Top 100 'Not for Profit' organisation and registered charity formed in 2006. We own and manage over 6,000 homes across Stafford and the surrounding area as well as delivering a number of local Independent Living schemes. Operating as a business, profits are used to fund our social housing and community schemes.  We also work in partnership with local authorities, health trusts, statutory bodies and a range of voluntary organisations to create safe, sustainable communities.  

Media contact:

Martin Farrow

CHANGEWORKS Communications
t:  + 44 (0) 1785 247588

m: +44 (0)7771 970025

e: mfarrow@changeworkscom.co.uk

Stafford and Rural Homes contact:

Mara Hargreaves
Marketing Manager

t:01785 216793 (Direct) 

m:07800 619 863 (Mobile)  

e: mara.hargreaves@sarh.co.uk