The 300 new homes plan with cash promised for GPs and schools nearby

Almost 300 new homes are being built in Colchester with the developer splashing almost £1million on services such as health care and schools.

Developer Bellway is building 295 new homes at Aspen Walk and Hollytree Walk in the city and the firm has announced it’s handed over a total of £962,601 to boost schools, healthcare and community services across the city.

The developments also include a total of 89 affordable homes available for people in Colchester through low-cost rent or shared ownership. The Aspen Walk site is made up of 150 new homes across the 20-acre development off Halstead Road in Eight Ash Green, while 145 new homes are being built by the firm at Hollytree Walk, off Bromley Road in the city.

READ MORE: The 'traditional' Essex village with cosy pubs known as the 'most picturesque' in England

READ MORE: he Essex towns and villages that could be underwater in just 16 years

Paul Smith, Lib Dem councillor for St Anne’s and St John’s and portfolio holder for housing, said: “A large amount of this investment is going towards education which is run by Essex County Council.

“If we are going to have this many new homes, we do need the investment in our infrastructure, for me a key priority is for developers to offer the maximum amount of social housing for rent.

“We do have a big problem in Colchester with people not being able to afford homes as prices are quite high here in the city.

“I do feel it’s quite right the developers should contribute towards the infrastructure, because otherwise it’s the existing residents who suffer.”

The developer says so far, 112 new homes have been built at Aspen Walk, while construction at Hollytree Walk has seen 97 properties completed.

There’s currently a selection of two, three and four-bedroom new homes available to reserve at both developments. Prices start from £324,995 at Aspen Walk and £304,995 at Hollytree Walk.

Jenny Walker, sales director for Bellway Essex, said: “Nearly a third of these homes are affordable properties which will allow people who do not have the means to buy a house on the open market to secure a home in the area.

“The contributions for Aspen Walk have seen us invest a total of £894,566 with £649,973 benefitting education provision, £66,248 towards healthcare and £160,000 towards community facilities in the area.

“At Hollytree Walk, we have contributed a total of £68,035 with £50,301 going towards NHS services. In addition to this, the 18-acre site will also feature public open space and a children’s play area, with a tree planting programme along the northern, eastern and southern boundaries.”