Roma holds the key to starter homes

Fri, Oct 6th 2006, 11:00

Councillor Roma Walton, Hilton’s ward councillor and a campaigner to bring starter homes to the village within reach of youngsters, saw her wish granted this week.

Cllr Walton was the guest of honour at a ‘key ceremony’ as award winning house builder Redrow officially welcomed the first purchasers to their innovative ‘Debut’ homes, on Welland Road.

The Debut properties offer high quality one and two-bedroom homes at affordable prices – just what’s needed to get young people onto the property ladder.

Other council figures were also present for the ceremony, as well as all those who have purchased a starter home on the development so far.

Cllr Walton, who attended with her husband John, said: "I feel privileged to have been asked to attend and I’m really delighted with how the Debut homes fit in with the larger development being created in Hilton by a number of builders, including Redrow.

"Fifteen years ago when the redevelopment of the Ministry of Defence site was just a rumour, I conducted a village survey to gauge people’s opinions and found that first time buyers could not afford to live in the village. I’ve been campaigning for them ever since.

"To Redrow’s credit they have really taken on board the local need for affordable homes and I’m impressed with the quality and look of the Debut homes.

"I’m also pleased that local suppliers have been used – the steel frames are manufactured in Swadlincote - and I think the communal gardens are great, they will create a real community feel."

Debut is Redrow’s solution to making home ownership accessible, affordable and easy to manage for first time buyers. Debut @ Hilton will feature 124 one and two-bedroom homes when complete, and when the first phase launched in June this year, all the homes in the first release were snapped up in one day.

Crucially the properties cannot be snapped up by buy-to-let investors, meaning those who were most deserving were able to purchase the home they had dreamed about.

There are currently four Debut designs, from the one-bedroom apartment, starting from *£59,995, to the two-bedroom, two storey property, from just **£94,995.

Redrow’s experience has been that young professionals in their 20s and 30s, perhaps at the early stages of their career, who previously had little or no chance of affording a home of their own, have been snapping up the homes.

For more information on Redrow’s award-winning and highly affordable Debut range, visit the Debut @ Hilton development to view a collection of smart and stylish show homes which best demonstrate the lifestyle on offer. Alternatively, log on to www.debutbyredrow.co.uk or call the development sales team on 0845 676 0293.