St Edward (a joint venture between Berkeley Group and M&G Investments) and L&Q have delivered 196 new affordable homes at Bankside Gardens, a new neighbourhood at Green Park Village, Reading.
The homes are being delivered by St Edward for L&Q, one of the UK’s leading charitable housing associations, and are available through shared ownership or affordable rent. Under the shared ownership scheme, buyers are able to buy a percentage share of a property – usually between 25% – 75% initially – while paying rent on the unowned share, which offers first time and low-income buyers a chance to get onto the property ladder with a lower deposit.
The homes are available as 1, 2 and 3-bedroom apartments and are just a three-minute walk from the recently opened Reading Green Park Station, taking residents to Reading town centre in just six minutes. Shared owners will have access to the Resident’s Club 51 which includes a residents’ gym, cinema and co-working space, as well as the convenience of an on-site Tesco Express.
The homes are part of Green Park Village, a former brownfield site which has been transformed into a welcoming and well connected community which will eventually be home to over 2,500 people, centred around a 7-acre lake with walks, trim trails, play areas, green open space, train station and a new market square with a two-form entry primary school.
Paul Vallone, Executive Chairman of St Edward, said:
“This is a fantastic milestone at Bankside Gardens, creating more opportunities for local people to buy their own home. Our affordable homes are built to a high standard and offer a fantastic quality of life, with contemporary interiors, fast links into Reading and a beautiful environment centred around the tranquil lake.”
Claire Brenlund, Sales and Marketing Director at L&Q, comments, “We are pleased to be providing an affordable route onto the property ladder for first-time buyers in Reading, particularly at such a well-connected and green development.
“Bankside Gardens offers a whole lifestyle – alongside our new Shared Ownership apartments, L&Q residents will enjoy access to an array of on-site amenities that are rarely seen with affordable homes; a gym, co-working space, resident cinema and podium gardens all add to the exciting appeal this new neighbourhood.”