Council leaders have been left delighted after welcoming back two former residents to a recently completed £3.25million development in Lawford.

Tendring District Council (TDC) completed work on its Honeycroft sheltered housing scheme in Waldegrave Way last month.

Two former residents of the previous sheltered housing development on the site have now returned to move into beautiful new homes.

The move came after the council promised that former residents of the scheme, which closed six years ago, could return once the new development was completed.

One of the returning residents shared his gratitude and excitement about his new home.

“I’m so happy to be back in the community I love – and I’m grateful to have the opportunity to move back into Honeycroft,” he said.

“The new homes are absolutely lovely – they’re spacious, accessible, and are going to save money in the long term thanks to the energy-efficient heating.

“There’s a big wet-room and bedroom and there’s even a nice shed in the garden.

“I would like to thank the housing officers for their hard work in helping the move back in go so smoothly.”

The new development comprises 13 single-storey senior living homes designed to the principles of the former Lifetime Homes standard.

These homes ensure that residents can remain in their community as their physical needs change, with features such as charging points for mobility scooters.

Residents moved out of the previous outdated development in 2017, before it was closed by the council the following year and subsequently demolished in 2021.

Manningtree-based Rose Builders were appointed by TDC to build the new homes, and groundbreaking took place at the site earlier this year.

Councillor Andy Baker, TDC’s Cabinet Member for Housing and Planning, said he is thrilled that former residents have returned to the new homes.

"The council promised residents who left the site that they would have the chance to move into the new homes, and I'm over the moon that two have accepted," he said.

“This project is about much more than just housing – these delightful modern properties are designed to be efficient and accessible lifetime homes, allowing residents to stay in their community even if their needs change.

“The scheme's environmental sustainability is also a key success factor, with innovative solutions that benefit the environment and keep tenant costs low.

“These new homes will help to improve our residents’ quality of life – something that runs through everything that we do as part of Our Vision, the council’s corporate plan.”

The new Honeycroft development has been built to top environmental standards, incorporating carbon reduction, energy-saving measures and energy-efficiency standards –making them cheaper to run and helping to combat fuel poverty.

As well as the new homes, the site also has a small community building, landscaping and car parking with electric vehicle charging points.

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