A housing development which won the Evening Standard’s Best New Starter Home Award 2009 after being described by judges as 'chic and value-for-money' has officially been launched.

Northfields in Colchester, Essex, witnessed the local Mayor, Liberal Democrat MP Bob Russell, the East of England Regional Director for the Homes and Communities Agency (HCA), residents and CHP employees toast the unveiling of the development.

Built on the site of a former psychiatric hospital, Northfields provides local residents with 18 properties for social rent. Each of the 12 apartments and six family homes has achieved the equivalent of a level-three rating under the Government's Code for Sustainable Homes, after receiving an 'Excellent' Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method (BREEAM) valuation in 2009.


Due for completion in December 2011 Northfields saw CHP, one of the largest developing housing associations in Essex, work with its partners the HCA, Flagship Housing Group and three-time 'House Builder of the Year', Linden Homes, to complete the first phase of the development.

Martin Dean, CHP Chairman, said: "We are overjoyed with the outcome of this award-winning development which offers residents contemporary and spacious homes. We are very proud of this scheme as it is our first in Colchester and one which demonstrates our strong belief in building communities that are sustainable and homes that are more than just properties."

(CD/GK)