04/04/2024
Major progress made on former garage site’s transformation into new homes
A new 10-home affordable development is taking shape on a former garage site in the coastal Suffolk town of Leiston.
The development is a partnership between Flagship Homes, the housebuilding subsidiary of Flagship Group, and contractor Marfleet and Blyth, and aims to bring much-needed housing to the town.
48 garages off South Close were built in the 1950s, but they have not been used since 2011. The site represented a good opportunity to carry out regenerative works to the area and make use of the land.
All 10 homes are social rent properties, with a mix of one and two-bedroom bungalows and houses. The bungalows are designed to be wheelchair-accessible, and all the homes will be fitted with solar panels to help reduce energy costs for future tenants.
Kyle Crush and Tim Cooper (Marfleet and Blyth) with James Ollington (Flagship Homes) outside one of the South Close bungalows
Flagship Homes’ delivery manager James Ollington said: “It’s a real pleasure to be working alongside Marfleet and Blyth on this scheme. Having the opportunity to regenerate what was an unused area into much-needed homes is a really great feeling.”
Kyle Crush, contracts manager at Marfleet and Blyth, said: “Marfleet and Blyth is thrilled to be working in partnership with Flagship Homes on this new scheme comprising of these much-needed homes, including the bungalows designed to meet accessibility standards to ensure they’re accessible to future tenants. There’s a real satisfaction in managing this project from once unused land, to building homes for the community.”
Construction well under way at the Flagship Homes/Marfleet and Blyth development in South Close, Leiston
The South Close site is due for completion in autumn 2024 and the homes will then be managed by Newtide Homes, one of Flagship's three housing associations. In addition, Flagship Homes is also building 74 houses at Picture House Green in Leiston.
With 84 new homes across the two developments, these homes represent a vital addition and boost to the local area. For more information on this and other developments, please visit flagship-homes.co.uk.