Love comes home in Basingstoke

A young couple are enjoying living together properly for the first time in five years, after moving into their new home in Basingstoke town centre.

On Wednesday 10th October, E G Carter & Co Ltd were delighted to hand over 12 new homes to Sovereign Housing Association. Not only did E G Carter construct the beautiful homes, they created a new life for 2 residents in particular.

Sammy King, 28 and her fiancé Terry, 25, have the keys to one of 12 much-needed affordable homes in the Brookvale area of Basingstoke, built thanks to a collaboration between Sovereign Housing Association and Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council.

Although Sammy and Terry have been together for five years, and engaged for three, they have not actually been able to share a home before. They previously stayed at the YMCA, which could not offer them a room as a couple.

Sammy, who is studying kitchen fitting at Basingstoke College, said: “It took at least a week for the shock to wear off that we had our own home. We love being able to come in, shut the door and relax in our own space.”

The former garage site now holds eight two-bedroom homes and four one-bedroom flats, offering a mix of affordable rented and shared ownership properties, with off-road parking for residents and visitors, and individual front and back garden spaces.

Luke Bingham, Divisional Director, Sovereign said: “This is an excellent example of how working together we’ve transformed an old garage site and land previously owned by Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council to produce 12 great homes which really enhance the local area. “We hope our new residents will be very happy in their new homes in the Brookvale community.”

Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council Deputy Leader Cllr Terri Reid said: “Working in partnership with Sovereign we were able to ensure we made the best possible use of the land that we own for the benefit of local people. There is a real need for these affordable homes including homes to help people get the first step on the property ladder.

“We will continue to work in partnership and to look at innovative ways in which we can provide more homes, and in particular more affordable housing, within the borough.”

Mathew Vye, Housing Manager at E G Carter & Co Ltd said "It has been a pleasure to deliver another scheme with Sovereign Housing Association, the new homes look fantastic and our partnership continues to strengthen"