Topping out ceremony marks key milestone at all affordable Norfolk development

A topping out ceremony has been held to mark a key milestone at a brand-new all affordable development in Attleborough, Norfolk.

Norfolk County Council, who own housing development company Repton Property Developments, is working with construction partner Lovell and affordable housebuilder Orbit Homes, to deliver 48 high-quality affordable homes.

A topping out ceremony is a construction tradition which typically occurs when the final structural beam is raised or when the highest beam is placed, marking the overall completion of the building's structure.  The ceremony was attended by Cllr Greg Peck, Cabinet Member for Commercial Services and Asset Management, Simon Medler, Regional Managing Director at Lovell and Mark Walker, Head of Development at Orbit Homes.

Saxon Heath has received funding from the Homes England Strategic Partnership scheme for the delivery of affordable homes and is scheduled to launch in Autumn 2023.

Orbit Homes will take over the management of the site and will deliver the properties to its sector leading designs and all-inclusive specification, in conjunction with Lovell.

 Cllr Andrew Proctor, Chairman of the Board at Repton and Leader of Norfolk County Council, said: “This development takes a new approach as it is Repton’s first development of all-affordable homes. It’s important to ensure that Norfolk’s housing needs are not only met, but met with the type of homes people need. Repton’s work with our partners goes to show what can be achieved by the council. The aim of the County Deal for Norfolk would see more control and money available to spend on brownfield site development.”

Cllr Greg Peck, Cabinet Member for Asset Management and Commercial Services, added: “The goal of Repton is to support sustainable and affordable house building in the county to benefit those who choose to live and work in Norfolk, as well as deliver a return to the council to support the delivery of our priorities. By focusing on high-quality, affordable housing, we can lead the way with our partners to encourage other developments to be of the best standard.”

Mark Walker, Head of Development at Orbit Homes, commented: “We are excited to develop these 48 brand-new homes and create a thriving new community in Attleborough. This much-needed affordable development of 29 social rent and 19 shared ownership properties, demonstrates our ongoing commitment to deliver high-quality affordable homes in the East and provides an excellent opportunity to work with our strategic partners, Homes England. We look forward to delivering this development in collaboration with Repton, Lovell and Norfolk County Council, and seeing the site progress over the coming months.”

Simon Medler, Regional Managing Director at Lovell, said: “It’s always really exciting to be at a Topping Out Ceremony, and today represents a celebration of much needed affordable housing being delivered within our communities here in Norfolk. Work is now well underway on these 48 quality affordable homes, which are being delivered alongside our partners Repton and Orbit Homes.”

Saxon Heath is a collection of two and three-bedroom affordable homes in the Norfolk town of Attleborough, conveniently located between Thetford and Wymondham and within easy reach of Norwich. To register your interest in this brand-new development, visit: https://www.orbithomes.org.uk/saxon-heath

Picture caption: (L-R) Simon Medler, Regional Managing Director at Lovell, Cllr Greg Peck, Cabinet Member for Commercial Services and Asset Management and Mark Walker, Head of Development at Orbit Homes.