Ellisons Solicitors were pleased to attend the opening ceremony of Colne Housing Society’s most recent affordable housing development, Priory Meadows, in St Osyth, on Monday 22nd October 2012.
The site, of which the new development stands, was originally the home of Priory Meadows Special Needs School. Upon closure of the school, the land was transferred to the St Osyth Almshouse Charity by the Essex County Council for the development of more Almshouses.
The charity partnered with Colne Housing Society and three separate phases were eventually completed between 2007 and mid-2012, consisting in total of 33 properties.
Ellisons acted for Colne Housing Society on all phases of the development, with the most recent having been completed by Philip Roberts, Commercial Property Partner. The legal work on the latest phase was completed in 2011 allowing the build works to commence within the required timescales.
Philip attended the opening ceremony on behalf of the firm. He said: ‘‘I was delighted to attend the opening ceremony of another successful scheme. Ellisons have a long history of working with Colne Housing Society Limited and Iceni Homes.
Colne Housing has a very successful partnership with St Osyth Almshouse and it was important for the transaction to be dealt with in the same way to ensure continued success. Working closely with Steve Heywood of Iceni Homes, we were able to ensure the matter proceeded in this manner.’’
Colne employ Iceni Homes who are a development agent formed specifically to work with housing associations and charities. Iceni generate business growth on Colne Housing Society’s behalf with considerable success. The Society has seen their development programme grow significantly generating additional homes for local people in Essex. Their development programme has expanded ten fold since 2008 which has led to a 25% growth in the homes provided by the Society.