Work starts on affordable homes in Gainsborough

Social housing provider Acis has teamed up with West Lindsey District Council to build 138 new homes as part of its wider regeneration programme in Gainsborough.

The new development, to be built by Vistry Partnerships, has the financial backing of Homes England and the LEP and will comprise 138 homes with a mix available for affordable rent, shared ownership and outright sale.

The LEP contributed £2.77 million from the Single Local Growth Fund towards phase 1B of the Gainsborough Growth Project.

Sir Edward said: “I am absolutely delighted to see this project now beginning to come to life. This housing development is a major boost to the town – £20 million is a huge investment and commitment and I am very grateful to everyone involved, including Acis, Homes England and the Greater Lincolnshire Local Enterprise Partnership, as well as everybody else, for making it possible.

“This project is a major part of the continued regeneration of Gainsborough,  helping to turn the town from an industrial town into a modern, attractive and innovative place to live, work and visit. I for one, am looking forward to seeing the end result, and I look forward to seeing the new community that will move into these new homes as a result.”

Ruth Carver, Chief Executive of the Greater Lincolnshire Local Enterprise Partnership, said: “We are delighted to be enabling the development of new homes for Gainsborough through our initial investment into the preparation and remediation of this site.

“We understand the crucial role that housing, and regeneration play in economic growth and we look forward to seeing this important riverside location and supporting public realm completed.”

Alongside the new housing development, work is continuing to create an uninterrupted riverside walk, creating an accessible walking and cycle way with access to the town centre and on to the Trent Bridge.

Andy Coates, Construction Director at Vistry Partnerships Yorkshire, said: “We’re delighted to be working with Acis Group again, supporting the regeneration of Gainsborough and providing much needed affordable, multi-generational homes for the area.”

The site is one of the previously developed sites which forms part of the Greater Gainsborough Housing Zone designation and bringing it forward for development has been supported by Homes England.

A Homes England spokesperson said: “These new homes will provide crucial affordable accommodation for local families and we’re pleased to have played a part in kick-starting this fantastic project.

“We look forward to seeing the new residents making their houses a home.”

The Chairman of West Lindsey District Council's Planning Committee, Councillor Ian Fleetwood, said: “This is an incredible milestone in our plans for the town of Gainsborough. We are committed to our vision of creating a district that is a great place to live, work and visit and this venture is further evidence of our commitment, following on from our other exciting projects, such as the Townscape Heritage Initiative, and our investments in a crematorium and a new leisure centre in Market Rasen, to name just a few.

“Having strong housing within our district will lead to not just economic success for the town but will also provide the foundations for strong health and wellbeing within West Lindsey. These are the thoughts and considerations that made this exciting proposal an easy one to consider for our committee.”

Pictured (from left to right) are Greg Bacon, Acis Group Chief Executive, Sir Edward Leigh MP and Cllr Owen Bierley, Leader of West Lindsey District Council.