Bedfordshire Pilgrims Housing Association - Loves Farm, St Neot's
Loves Farm, St Neot's
BPHA is a leading provider of affordable homes throughout Central, Southern and Eastern England. It has a wide range of customers, including key public sector workers and others looking for low cost home ownership. BPHA currently manages more than 16,000 homes and employs over 300 staff.
Project Description:
Loves Farm is a new estate development by Gallagher Estates, with 40% of the dwellings being affordable social housing units provided via Bedfordshire Pilgrims Housing Association. This affordable element consists of 16 parcels of housing providing 518 dwellings divided over 4 phases. 337 units are for social rent and 181 units are for shared ownership. The project was developed on a farmland site.
Sustainability:
- Phase 1 - Eco Homes "Very Good"
- Phases 2, 3 and 4 - Code for Sustainable Homes Level 3
- NIBE Heat Exchange Units
- Solar panels
- Photovoltaic cells
Key Challenges:
- Managing negotiations with the Developer to agree a Sale of Land/Development Agreement
- Gaining access to affordable parcels for construction and occupation ahead of development of main estate
- Working closely with private housebuilders and maintaining balance between requirements of affordable housing and commercial necessities of speculative housebuilding
