Council helps deliver 119 new affordable homes in Newbury

A new development of 119 affordable homes in Newbury has been completed with the first residents set to move in over the next few weeks.

Located at the former Sterling Cables site in Newbury, Sterling Gardens offers one, two and three-bedroom flats tailored to accommodate families on the housing list. There are 27 designated for social rent and 62 for affordable rent which will be available this week to those on West Berkshire Council's Housing Register.

A further 30 are shared ownership properties which will be managed by a housing association.

For those eagerly awaiting housing opportunities, these properties will be open from next week for applications through our Homechoice West Berkshire website. Allocation will be based on the Council's usual assessment process, ensuring fairness and accessibility for all applicants. We're committed to providing quality housing solutions that meet the diverse needs of our community, and Sterling Gardens is a shining example of this dedication.

This exciting project, a collaboration between West Berkshire Council, Funding Affordable Homes Housing Association Ltd, and Homes England, marks a significant step towards addressing housing needs in our community.

Delivery of more homes that people can afford is a commitment made in the Council Strategy 2023-27 and this will contribute towards the goal of providing more than 1,000 new affordable homes by 2030. It will also deliver savings for the Council as families move into Sterling Gardens from more expensive accommodation elsewhere.

Councillor Denise Gaines, Executive Member for Housing at West Berkshire Council, said:

"These new homes are a significant boost to the availability of affordable homes locally. It's a project I've been particularly invested in, working together with ward councillors and the housing team, and I'm thrilled to see it now completed.

"This development not only provides much-needed affordable housing options but also demonstrates the power of collaboration between the council and our partners. Having invested £600,000 to help deliver this project, Sterling Gardens will offer families on the housing list a place to call home, and we are excited to see the positive impact it will have on our community."

What is affordable housing?

Affordable housing is housing for sale or rent, for those whose needs are not met by the market (including housing that provides a subsidised route to home ownership and/or is for essential local workers).

Social rented housing is subsidised housing that is owned and managed by a Registered Housing Provider (Housing Association) and allocated through West Berkshire Homechoice to eligible households.

Affordable rented housing is also owned and managed by Registered Housing Providers (Housing Associations) and allocated through West Berkshire Homechoice to eligible households. Rents are no more than 80 per cent of open market rent and in line with the Local Housing Allowance.