A major drive to reduce housing waiting lists and provide urgent social housing is under way in Peterborough, Chatteris, March, Whittlesey, and Ramsey. Accent is the housing association leading the accelerated charge to build homes for those most in need.
It has just completed 75 ‘affordable rent’ homes in Peterborough, and recently celebrated the completion of 82 homes in Ramsey, a mix of mainly affordable rent but also shared ownership.
Accent’s next projects are coming to Chatteris, March, and Whittlesey.
At Trelowen Way, in Hempsted, Peterborough, Accent has built 75 one-to-four-bedroom homes – by the time the last was completed 60 families and couples had already moved in.
All residents were nominated from Peterborough City Council’s Housing Register and were in urgent need of secure affordable housing to rent.
One new Trelowen Way resident said: “I have been living in a hostel for the last 18 months, this is beautiful, I can’t wait to cook in the kitchen and make this a home. My children will be so happy here.”
In Chatteris, Accent has begun work on 50 homes for affordable rent.
Planning permission was granted in July 2023, with work due to start on site at the end of the year.
The mix of two-, three- and four-bedroom family homes on Fairbairn Way in Chatteris will be completed in December 2025.
And at Norwood Road, March, a ‘breaking ground’ ceremony has just been held for 50 affordable rent homes, supported by grant funding from Homes England, which are expected to complete in November 2025.
Accent says the scheme is part of wider development ambitions for them across Fenland, Huntingdonshire, and Cambridgeshire
The company says the latest round of starts “will build on our position as the second largest affordable housing provider in Fenland”.
Steve Morris, director of development at Accent Housing said the 50 homes at Norwood Road will be available for affordable rent “allowing local families and couples to build a life in a thriving market town community.
“Accent are committed to helping tackle the national housing crisis by developing and providing safe, sustainable homes. We look forward to welcoming our Norwood Road customers to the Accent Family during 2025.”
He added: “Accent are committed to providing local communities with more affordable homes, so families don’t need to move away from the areas they love.”
Accent says it has ambitious plans to develop 3600 new affordable rented and low-cost home ownership homes by 2031.
“Accent’s future development plans are centred around the core principles of inclusivity, accessibility, and environmental responsibility,” says their spokesperson.
Accent Housing, along with development partner The Hill Group, recently celebrated the completion of 82 new affordable homes in Ramsey.
Mill View on St Mary’s Road comprises 15 affordable rent, 27 social rent and 40 shared ownership homes, ranging from maisonettes to 4-bedroom houses.
Work began in December 2020 and has been completed in phases, with the final homes being handed over at the end of October 2023.
Accent are also working with Alison Homes to build 130 new homes in Whittlesey Green, Whittlesey, Peterborough.
The homes will be available for shared ownership or rent.
“Homemade Homes by Accent offers an exciting opportunity for you to get on the property ladder through shared ownership,” says Accent on their website.
“Shared ownership can significantly reduce your mortgage and deposit requirements, making your dream home more achievable than you might think.”
Shared ownership is available from 40%
“Construction is progressing well, and we’re excited for first handovers in Summer 24,” said the Accent spokesperson.
Alison Homes says the Whittlesey scheme is one of a number of partnership schemes to be delivered by a new division of the company.
“Every home on each of these developments will be affordable and made available for sale or rent,” it says.
“With an impressive existing land bank, we plan to seed key relations and accelerate this part of our business by offering land and build-package deals to more housing providers across our other key regions in the near future.
“Housebuilding shouldn’t be regarded as simply transactional, but the start of a long-term relationship with home buyers, local stakeholders, and communities.
“We’re building a business that will span generations.”
Accent are a Homes England strategic partner and currently have over 500 new affordable homes on site and under construction in the wider Cambridgeshire and Peterborough sub-region, delivered with the assistance of grant funding through this programme.
