Breakthrough plans to deliver its first housing development in Wales have been revealed by top 10 UK housebuilder Keepmoat, with a Help to Buy – Wales application also approved to enable buyers to achieve their ambition of owning their own home with just a five percent deposit.
The development, located on former farmland, will feature sustainable homes with a selection of the properties available for purchase through the Help to Buy – Wales scheme. The development marks the start of the housebuilder’s plans to secure future land development opportunities across the country in other border towns.
The agricultural land was acquired by Keepmoat in 2019 and forms a flagship development in the western portion of the business’ North West region. With planning permission granted in October 2021, the housebuilder will deliver 129 new homes and develop a major national cycling route, linking Connah’s Quay and Chester Railways Path with Ellesmere Port. This marks the first phase of a large community of over 800 houses that is due to be developed.
The development, named ‘Dee Gardens’, aims to regenerate the area between the former farmland and the beauty of Dee Estuary, home to RSPB Burton Mere Wetlands, while providing homes for first time buyers at an accessible price point, and creating a new, thriving community.
Another key focus for the site is to deliver sustainable housing, with Keepmoat stating all of the homes in the 129-strong development will cost up to 50 percent less to run and create up to two thirds fewer carbon emission than older housing stock.
Regional managing director for the North West at Keepmoat, Tony Mellor said:
“We have long wanted to develop in Wales and we are delighted that our first site has been established with the Help-to-Buy scheme. Dee Gardens is located in an area of significant demand for our particular product and in a place where we can provide a strong level of social value to the wider area.”
Work commenced on the 129 dwellings in January 2023, and the development is due to be completed by October 2025. Dee Gardens will feature a range of 2, 3 and 4-bedroom home designs with select properties available with the Help to Buy – Wales scheme, currently the only one of its kind available in the UK.
Buyers in England and Wales are eligible to purchase under the scheme, however it must be the only property owned by an English buyer at the point of completion, and the individual will need to work within a 50 mile commutable distance of the property.
Tony adds:
“Keepmoat has the ambition to create exemplary developments across the UK. We’re excited to bring new life and investment to the area by maximising the potential of the site in Deeside. Our proposals will not only increase the amount of people and homes, but create a truly mixed use and sustainable community within an area which is in need of regeneration.”
For more information about the housing available at Dee Gardens, please visit: www.keepmoat.com/dee-gardens-