Meanwhile.......at racecourse, tenants already collecting keys
Last week Sovereign housing association officially took over the 10 affordable dwellings that have so far been completed on the site and handed over the keys to the new residents.
In total, the western phase of the development, for which construction began in October 2012, will provide 127 affordable homes – 87 social rental properties and 40 shared ownership – and 294 private dwellings.
On completion of the development, around 439 properties could be managed by Sovereign.
Among the new residents to collect their keys this week were Stephanie Worley, who has moved to the racecourse from her home of 30 years in Hampstead Norreys following the death of her husband last year, and Bernie Berry and Noel Thompson, who were recently required to leave their privately-rented home of nine years owing to unforeseen circumstances.
Regional development director for Sovereign housing Roger Keeling said: “This is a major new development for Sovereign which, upon completion in 2015, will provide 127 affordable new homes.
“We are delighted to welcome our first residents to the area and look forward to building a cohesive and balanced community.”
The racecourse development is a joint venture between The Racecourse Newbury and David Wilson Homes.
A spokesman for David Wilson Homes, who asked not to be named, said that the development was progressing well and on schedule, and that the new houses were selling at a steady rate.