Ninety-one families will be celebrating their first Christmas in their new affordable homes at Charlton Gardens in Apley, Telford, as a result of a flourishing partnership between Bromford and Countryside Properties.

We've been working with the mixed-tenure developer to deliver 118 affordable homes at the 375-property development on the former Maxell factory site near Telford and are delighted that 91 families have moved in in time to celebrate the festive season in their new home.

In total 114 families have moved onto the site this year with 91 families moving into new affordable homes in time for the festive season; 13 families investing in an open-market property; and 10 families in private rental properties through Sigma Capital Group plc, one of the leading providers in the build-to-rent market.

Phil McHugh, managing director, North West Midlands, Countryside said: “Our partnership work with Bromford throughout 2023 at Charlton Gardens in Apley, is indicative of our commitment to create places where people love to live, with a focus on sustainable communities that are built to last. By putting the community first, and transforming former brownfield sites, together with great partners like Bromford and Sigma, we can create new neighbourhoods of high-quality homes offering a range of tenures to suit local people at different stages of life and with different requirements. It’s great to see so many families settling in to enjoy the festive season in their new homes.”

Rebecca North, regional development manager for Bromford added: “Charlton Gardens is a great example of how housing associations can work in partnership with developers such as Countryside to address the housing crisis and create thriving communities. We believe that nothing is more important than for people to have a home that is safe, secure and affordable and that’s especially true at this time of year. We hope all our customers enjoy their first Christmas in their new home and look forward to seeing even more families move into new homes in Apley in 2024.”

The creation of much-needed new homes on the former factory site was given the green light by Telford and Wrekin Council in February 2022 with the first residents moving in at the beginning of 2023. Work to demolish the 183,000 sq ft former Maxell factory took place over spring and summer, making way for further family homes, with beautiful landscaping, open space with a children’s play area, flood attenuation areas and better footpaths and cycle routes linking the surrounding woodlands.

The affordable homes comprise two-, three- and four-bedroom properties, helping to fulfil a wide range of local housing needs and providing high-quality living environments for families in the region.