Hightown Housing Association has completed the purchase of Preston Hill House in Chesham and, subject to planning permission, plans to build around 60 new homes for people unable to rent or buy at market rates.

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The charitable housing association has allowed the previous owner, event catering and logistics specialist Global Infusion Group, to stay on rent free while they prepare and cook more than 4,000 meals a week for Buckinghamshire’s NHS Trust during the coronavirus pandemic.

The site was also used as a warehouse, office space and a small brewery.

Hightown is preparing a full planning application for redevelopment of the site to provide approximately 60 new homes, which will be a mixture of houses and flats. The new homes will all be below market rates, with the rented homes allocated to those on the council’s housing register. There will also be a number of homes available for shared ownership, providing an affordable route into home ownership.

The planning application will be submitted this summer and Hightown would hope to start construction in the latter half of 2021, subject to obtaining the necessary planning permission.

The proposed redevelopment of the site would make effective use of Brownfield land, thus reducing pressure on the greenbelt, whilst making a valuable contribution to the shortage of affordable housing in the Borough.

The new homes will be well-served by public transport, with a bus stop nearby and train station and London Underground service a short walk away. Residents will also be able to walk to the town centre to access its range of shops, restaurants and amenities.

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Andrew Royall, Development Director for Hightown Housing Association, said: “There’s a real shortage of affordable housing so I’m sure these plans will be good news for local people in Chesham struggling to rent or buy a home at market rates.

“I’m also pleased that we can support the NHS by allowing Global Infusion Group to prepare meals for hard working NHS staff. As a charitable housing association, community is at the very heart of what we do and there has never been a time when we’ve needed to pull together more.