SOUTHEND residents on the council’s waiting list have been housed in a brand new development, with the remaining properties being sold on a shared ownership basis.

Estuary Housing Association revealed 16 apartments are now occupied having been allocated to residents in the Southend borough who were on the council’s housing waiting list.

A total of 56 new apartments were built as part of the Estuary Housing Association’s £12million sustainable homes development at the former Southend College site in Carnarvon Road, Southend.

Homes England also funded £1.2 million towards the development.

The remaining 40 apartments are being sold as shared ownership homes, allowing first time buyers who are residents of, or working in the borough, to get on the property ladder.

The shared ownership scheme offers the option to own part of the property and rent the remaining portion at an affordable price.

John Neville, 50, who was on the council’s waiting list after losing his home, was thrilled to be offered one of the two-bedroom apartments. John and his teenage son Cody were living in cramped conditions at John’s sister’s home.

John said: “Cody has Type 1 Diabetes so it was a priority to try and find somewhere to live so I registered on the Southend council’s waiting list.

“When Estuary Housing offered me this brand new, two-bedroom apartment it was way beyond what I was hoping for. We have only been living here for a few weeks but all I can say is we love it.”

The apartments have been built to Code Three level of the Code for Sustainable Homes which include solar panels, making the homes energy efficient to ensure reduced fuel bills.

Councillor Tony Cox, cabinet member for adults and housing, said: “We are delighted that Estuary Housing has completed phase one of the development on the site of the former Southend College. The homes enabled those on the council’s housing list to find their new home.

“Genuinely affordable rented accommodation is crucial to address the national housing crisis, and these new Estuary Housing properties will offer tenants secured, comfortable, good quality housing.”

Estuary acquired phase one of the site from Hollybrook, along with 56 car parking spaces.

If you are interested in the remaining shared ownership properties, call Estuary Housing Association on 0300 304 5000