Working in partnership with housing provider settle, 70% of the homes will be delivered as additional affordable homes, including affordable rent and shared ownership. Around 90 acres of the Linmere site will be green space and new residents will benefit from easy access to many of these new green spaces, including Ouzel linear park, a wildlife haven and walking area.
Work will start on site early next year, with an expected completion date of autumn 2025.
Linmere is a major new community, providing more than 5,000 new homes over the next 15 years, as well as two state-of-the-art primary schools, an extension to Houghton Regis’ existing Thornfield Primary school, a ten-form secondary school, retail, leisure and entertainment offerings along with employment opportunities. It’s being developed by Houghton Regis Management Company (HRMC), a consortium comprising master planners Lands Improvement, Aviva Investors, and the Diocese of St Albans.
Commenting, Richard Cherry, co-chairman of Stonebond, said: “Linmere is a great example of how beneficial partnerships can be in creating new destinations and we’re delighted to have acquired the fourth parcel with settle. We look forward to playing our part in delivering much needed affordable new homes to the neighbourhood, and to seeing the project evolve.”
Linmere development director Nigel Reid said: “We are delighted that Stonebond will be joining us as the third developer at Linmere. The investment by Stonebond Properties in the development and the new homes they will create with their partners means the Linmere community will continue to grow in a hugely positive way.”
Gavin Cansfield, chief executive at settle, added: “We’re delighted to be working in partnership with Stonebond on this development. Our purpose at settle is to help people who are struggling to find a place to live and to help our residents live comfortably in their homes. Linmere is a fantastic site and we are really pleased to be providing over 140 affordable homes in what promises to be a great community setting.”
