Fairhive has recently completed their first purpose built independent living facility, achieving the highest energy rating and setting the standard for future schemes

Fairhive Homes’ first ever new-build independent living housing scheme was unveiled this week – setting the standard for independent living in Buckinghamshire.

Located in the beautiful village of Waddesdon and backing onto open countryside, the Anstey Court development comprises 16 flats for residents aged 60 and over, designed and specified for independent living for older residents.

Fairhive is offering priority to applicants who are down-sizing from a larger property and the benefits of living at Anstey Court include the high environmental standards to which the properties are built, with all flats heated by air-source heat pumps, one of the most energy efficient ways of heating homes.

The flats also benefit from fully fitted kitchens, including fridge/freezer, oven, hob, washing machine, and are fully carpeted throughout. This is also Fairhive’s first independent living scheme to be fitted with electric vehicle charging points.

Anstey Court is just a part of Fairhive’s growth and diversification strategy. In the short term, they aim to deliver almost 1,000 new homes within a 30 mile radius of Aylesbury for those in housing need as part of its 2020 to 2025 programme.

With the environment in mind and in consideration of increasing energy prices, Fairhive pledges to act responsibly to maximise the energy efficiency of its new homes. All new homes provided by Fairhive will aim to achieve an EPC B (Energy Performance Certificate) rating or higher.

The flats at Anstey Court have achieved an EPC rating of A, the highest rating possible, the first Fairhive development to deliver this rating. This means the homes meet the highest environmental sustainability standards and are the most efficient in terms of likely fuel costs and carbon dioxide emissions, thereby saving residents money.

The project has been developed through a partnership between Fairhive, Buckinghamshire Council and Homes England. Fairhive received grants of £1.2 million from Homes England and £160,000 from Buckinghamshire Council towards the building of Anstey Court. The partnership also extends to Thame and District Housing Association whose independent living scheme adjoins Anstey Court, and with whom Fairhive have worked to deliver an extended complex of homes for older people in this location.

Matthew Applegate, Chief Executive of Fairhive Homes, said: “Anstey Court is significant in that it sets the standard for independent living for the older resident in Buckinghamshire. It allows them to live in an attractive new flat that fits their needs perfectly, and is more cost effective to maintain.

“Residents can receive assistance, when they need it, from the support teams at Fairhive but otherwise their independence is always respected.

“I want to thank our colleagues at Buckinghamshire Council, Thame and District Housing Association and Homes England for making this possible.”

Mark Winn, Cabinet Member for Housing and Regulatory Services at Buckinghamshire Council said: “We are pleased to have worked in partnership and to part fund this new scheme with Fairhive Homes which offers many benefits to people over 55 who are considering their next move.

“This scheme delivers much needed housing units at social rent levels making a move much more attractive and affordable. Social rent levels are 50% of market rent, whereas usual affordable rent is up to 80% of market rent. “

He added: “Downsizing into a development like Anstey Court works for many people who may no longer want or need to live in a family house and it helps us to deliver our strategic priority of encouraging people who are over the age of 55 living in family size social housing to move to quality high specification homes freeing up their current homes for families in need.”