Colchester Borough Council and its commercial housing company, Colchester Amphora Homes Ltd (CAHL), celebrated a significant milestone today when they welcomed one of the first residents of Creffield Villas, Lexden, to their new home.
Elizabeth Peacock, the proud owner of a new, one-bedroom apartment within the former, listed Victorian Villa in Creffield Road, was welcomed to the property and presented with a bouquet of flowers and a celebratory bottle of champagne from Amphora Homes.
Cllr Sue Lissimore, Portfolio Holder for Resources and Deputy Leader of the Council, said: “Congratulations to Elizabeth on moving into her stylish new home. I hope she will be very happy living in this wonderful location in the heart of Colchester. I am extremely impressed with the transformation that has taken place at this property. My congratulations also go to CAHL for bringing to market these modern new homes, which still retain the character and craftsmanship of the original Victorian villa.”
In July 2020 local contractors, TJ Evers began work on the sympathetic conversion of the villa into six apartments, alongside the construction of two three-storey townhouses within the property’s grounds.
Designed by award-winning architects Barefoot & Gilles, the homes offer flexible living, with open plan kitchen and dining/breakfast rooms, master bedrooms with en-suite, allocated off street parking and landscaped gardens.
The whole project was completed in May 2021 and saw healthy interest in the property market with prompt sales. Just one apartment property remains available through Chewton Rose. Two of the six apartments remain in council ownership to support local housing need.
Ms Peacock, who moved to Colchester from Clacton, said: “I’m thrilled with my new apartment and, as I work in Colchester, I am delighted to be able to walk to work every day and enjoy Lexden with all the town centre facilities on my doorstep.”
The development falls within Amphora Homes’ first phase of works to deliver 350 new homes across the borough by 2024. It is the first of CAHL’s developments to have reached market and all profits will be returned to Colchester Borough Council for reinvestment into its core services.
Adrian Pritchard, Managing Director of Colchester Commercial (Holdings) Ltd, said: “Well done to the team at Amphora Homes for this outstanding redevelopment of what had become a shabby and derelict property. The council will reap high rewards from our partnership with CAHL, ensuring a commercial turnover that will sustain vital council services over the challenging economic months ahead.”
CAHL was established to provide high-quality new homes for market sale and affordable rent, with a focus on good design and placemaking in support of Colchester Borough Council’s regeneration and economic development objectives. Its focus now turns to the delivery of 350 new homes at Mill Road, within Colchester’s Northern Gateway, following the granting of planning permission earlier this year.
For more information visit: www.amphora-homes.co.uk
Image L to R: Cllr Sue Lissimore; Elizabeth Peacock; Keith Maidlow, Head of Housing Development CAHL, and Adrian Pritchard (Image credit: Amphora Homes)
Page last reviewed: 2 September 2021