9 October 2023
Countryside Partnerships, part of the Vistry Group the UK’s leading provider of affordable mixed-tenure homes, has received final planning approvals and signed forward sale agreements with two partners to enable the creation of 217 new homes at Station Island, part of Wellingborough’s Stanton Cross development – one of the most ambitious projects in the town for generations, and which will further increase the area’s affordable housing provision.
The plans will see Countryside partner with registered housing provider Stonewater to deliver 128 of these as affordable homes, which Stonewater will own and manage. A further 89 homes for private rental will be created on a separate new area of land as part of the same scheme and will be owned and managed by the UK’s leading single-family build-to-rent provider, Sigma, taken to market under its Simple Life Homes brand following a further forward-sale agreement.
The homes will deliver further much-needed housing for the local area, and form part of a new community which is already well-established at Stanton Cross.
As a whole, this flagship neighbourhood, which is situated next to Wellingborough train station, will offer 3,650 new homes alongside leisure and community facilities, shops, offices, a newly opened primary school on Irthlingborough Road, along with a 115-acre Town and Country Park as part of the site’s ongoing green infrastructure planning. The site is responsible for creating more than 3,000 jobs and will drive more than £1bn of investment into the area.
Andy Reynolds, Managing Director of Countryside Partnerships South East Midlands, said: “With the final planning consents in place and our partners lined up, we’re ready to turn plans into reality, delivering 217 mixed-tenure new homes for the local community. Working in partnership, we can make a significant contribution to the area’s affordable housing provision, whilst turning a previously disused area of brownfield land into another important and exciting milestone on the Stanton Cross journey. We’re looking forward to getting underway.”
Chris Montague, Development Director (East & North) at Stonewater added: “. As the housing crisis continues, and rising house prices pose significant challenges to those looking to rent or buy their own home, we know that a diverse range of housing and tenures is required to meet this need, and our partnership with Countryside will help to significantly increase the range of housing options and choice available to the benefit of local people in Wellingborough.
“Furthermore, the homes will be delivered with a range of modern energy efficiency features, including air source heat pumps and photovoltaic panels, which will bring additional benefits to customers and the wider community.”
Jason Berry, Regional MD at Sigma, said: “We’re thrilled to be working with our longstanding partner housebuilder, Countryside Partnerships on yet another development which marks a new area of our build to rent brand, Simple Life Homes. With over 5,500 properties across the UK already, we’re delighted to be offering further local people a high-quality, new-build rental option, teamed with a professional service throughout their tenancy.”
Lee Barrett, Divisional Operations Director for Stanton Cross Developments, said: “This partnership further underpins the tremendous progress we are making in creating a major residential-led development that builds a diverse and fully integrated, welcoming community where people want to live, and which allows local people to continue living locally.”
