Massive Barratt plan for Surrey

by David Sands Barratt is to build 400 new homes at Ash Vale, Guildford, in one of the South East’s biggest housing developments in recent years. The £50m project will meet most of the town’s housing needs until at lease 2001, says the housebuilder, which is pricing stock in the initial phase between £65,000 and £150,000. It will comprise one-, two- three- and four-bedroom houses and apartments to designs from Barratt’s Premier Collection of homes. The first phase will also include 40 affordable homes for local people developed in partnership with the borough council and housing associations. Barratt Southern chairman David Pretty said: “New home opportunities in Guildford are scarce nowadays, and affordable homes for young singles and couples starting out are rarer still. This will address that shortage and the full Barratt package of help plans will be available to buyers.” Known locally as the Inner Quadrant, the triangular site is redundant farmland and was bought from Guildford council this year. The 9.3ha (23 acre) scheme, to be named Old Farm Place, will also feature 3.2ha (8 acres) of open space with a nature conservation area. Barratt is currently improving access to the site by carrying railway lines along the boundary. When this is complete, work on the homes will start and they will be ready for occupation early next year. “We’re confident that demand will be very strong for homes in such an excellent location,” added Pretty.