Dandara Marks Key Milestone at Affordable Latchingdon Development

Dandara Eastern has completed the transfer of the first 80 homes at a new affordable housing development on the edge of Latchingdon, Essex. This marks the first phase of a wider agreement with housing association Home Group that will see all 160 homes delivered as affordable housing.

The deal represents Dandara Eastern's first partnership with Home Group and one of the largest and much-needed affordable housing schemes in the Maldon District. The foundations and first-level brickwork are now complete on the 80 homes. 

Delivered entirely as affordable housing, the scheme will see 25 acres of former farmland transformed into a high-quality, landscape-led neighbourhood with homes for all stages of life.

The masterplan includes a blend of bungalows and family homes designed in keeping with Latchingdon’s character, using red brick, black weatherboarding and cream render. Homes will be set within generous green infrastructure including walking and cycling routes, two new ponds and a large linear park.

Alongside new homes, the scheme will include a 100m² office hub, and land has been set aside for a future nursery, helping to embed day-to-day amenities within the heart of the neighbourhood.

Every home will include an electric vehicle charging point, and the buildings will be designed with high levels of insulation and energy efficiency to reduce heat loss and running costs. A strong emphasis on biodiversity will see wildflower meadows, tree-lined routes and natural play spaces woven into the landscape, delivering a significant net gain for local ecology.

Russell Turner, Partnerships Director at Dandara, said: “It’s a significant moment to lay foundations at Latchingdon and demonstrates what can be delivered when housebuilders and affordable housing providers work together with a shared goal. From the outset, we recognised the opportunity to provide high-quality affordable homes that meet a genuine local need, while creating a neighbourhood that will have a positive and lasting impact on the wider community. We are excited to be delivering our first scheme with Home Group and work together to create a sustainable and thriving development.”

Craig Crowley, Head of Development and Delivery at Home Group said: “We are really pleased to deliver these first affordable homes at Latchingdon, alongside Dandara.

“With a variety of house types on the development, we can deliver much-needed housing that meets the varied needs of the local community. This sense of community is strengthened further through the office hub, and future plans for the nursery.

“We are excited to continue bringing high quality affordable housing to this part of Essex.”