Watford Community Housing has celebrated after completing its 500th newly built home.

The site at Fairways Farm, Bucknalls Lane in Garston introduced 100 new homes in the area, making it the housing associations' 500th newly built home since 2007.

Developed by Inland Homes, Watford Community Housing owns and manages 45 affordable homes, with the shared ownership properties including a four-bed house, 11 one-bed and two-bed flats, and 15 houses and 18 flats for affordable rent.

The site had to shut down temporarily due to coronavirus restrictions during lockdown, but it was still completed on time in August.

Louis and Cora, along with their children mason and Edan were the first occupants of the 500th newly built home.

Louis said: “We spotted the house when it came onto the bidding list and we thought it looked beautiful. We were delighted and there were even a few tears when we were told we’d got it. When it was being constructed, we drove down here quite a lot to see it being built.

“We love that it feels a bit like a rustic cottage, with little touches like the green windows – they’re fantastic. The quality is amazing and there are some really nice touches like the external lights, the numbers and the outside tap.

“It’s perfect for us. We spent nine-and-a-half years in a one-bedroom flat with Mason, ever since he was born, so now he’s got his own room for the first time. It was fantastic to come in, spend a bit of money and get it all how we want it. We could never consider buying our previous flat because it was too small for us, but in the future that might be an option for us too, which is amazing.”

Watford Observer:

The Bucknall family at their new home (Photo: Simon Jacobs)

Tina Barnard, Chief Executive of Watford Community Housing said: “We are delighted to welcome Louis, Cora and their family into their new home. This beautiful development has provided homes for shared ownership and affordable rent, to ensure people have the chance to live comfortably and happily in a home they can afford.

“We’re really proud to have achieved the landmark of our building our 500th new home. Our commitment to delivering high-quality homes and friendlier communities has been at the heart of each of our developments over the last nine years, and we look forward to bringing more much-needed affordable housing to families in South-West Hertfordshire.”

Watford Community Housing’s first homes were built in 2011 at Alma Place within the Meriden. It now owns and manages over 5,000 affordable homes and is regulated by Homes England.