Work begins to transform contractors’ yard into new housing development in Bourne End

Construction work on a new canalside housing development on the site of a former contractors’ yard in the village of Bourne End, near Berkhamsted, is now under way after plans were approved by Dacorum Borough Council.

Bellway has started to build the first of 56 new homes on the 6.3-acre brownfield site off Pix Farm Lane, following demolition of the buildings on the site earlier in the year.

The new development, which will be known as Westbrook Moorings, will comprise a range of two, three and four-bedroom homes alongside new landscaped green space, which will run alongside the Grand Union Canal.

The name has been chosen by Bellway as tribute to Bourne End’s mooring heritage and Westbrook Mere, a popular fishing site dating back to the 1920s and located nearby.

Ali Maruf, managing director of Bellway North London, said: “Westbrook Moorings marks our fourth development in the Hemel Hempstead area, showing our commitment to deliver much-needed, quality housing to a range of home-hunters in the area.

“The previous buildings on this brownfield site were visually unattractive in an otherwise rural and affluent setting, but with demolition work now complete, we can focus our attention on creating a brand-new community that the village can be proud of.

“Benefitting from an envious location running alongside the picturesque Grand Union Canal, residents of Westbrook Moorings will be able to enjoy beautifully landscaped open space overlooking the canal and easy access to the tow path that leads to nearby Berkhamsted.

“The area is ideal for families with a range of well-regarded schools and amenities in the surrounding area.

"Commuters into London are also well catered for with the A41 running nearby and direct trains into London Euston from Berkhamsted or Hemel Hempstead railway stations.

“As construction work on the site gathers pace, we are expecting a high volume of interest and will be releasing the first homes onto the market in mid-2021.”

As part of the plans, 23 of the 56 new homes will be made available as affordable housing for local people while the remaining 33 will be sold on the open market as part of Bellway’s Artisan Collection.

For more information about the homes being built at Westbrook Moorings visit bellway.co.uk.