A not-for-profit community benefit society has handed the keys to its last two properties over to new tenants. 

Haddenham Community Land Trust (HCLT), formed in June 2016, handed the keys over at Ovins Rise on December 1. 

Initially, completion was planned for 2021 but was delayed due to Covid-19 and a shortage of building materials. 

HCLT has worked in partnership with property developers Palace Green Homes and with the support of Haddenham Parish Council, Homes England, East Cambridgeshire District Council and the Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Authority to deliver the homes. 

The trust now owns 17 rental properties and has two further properties under shared ownership. 

19 local families now occupy a mix of one, two and three bedroomed houses on the development through HCLT and this includes 17 children. 

Ely Standard: Heather Smith with daughter Calliope and partner Thabo.Heather Smith with daughter Calliope and partner Thabo. (Image: HCLT)

New tenants Heather Smith and her daughter Calliope, aged two, were welcomed to their new home last week. 

“We are very excited, I was born in Haddenham and my sister, parents and grandparents live in Haddenham and Aldreth,” said Heather. 

“I’m so pleased to be able to come back to Haddenham, to be near family and Calliope’s nursery, in this fabulous House.” 

Samuel Males has moved in next door with his four-year-old daughter Erin; he is very familiar with Ovins Rise because his brother was one of the first HCLT tenants and as Samuel works for Openreach, he visited the site during digital network installation. 

He said: “Erin is more excited to move here as she thinks she will have her own personal play park. 

“I have watched the site develop and am very impressed with the quality and high spec of the houses.” 

Ely Standard: HCLT Chair Stephen Thompson with Samuel Males in his new home.HCLT Chair Stephen Thompson with Samuel Males in his new home. (Image: HCLT)

Centrally located in Ovins Rise, the Parish Council owned play park has been recently installed to provide a safe play area for local children. 

Chairman Stephen Thompson, said: “We are local people, working with the support of local institutions to help local people stay local. 

“We have ensured from the start that our houses are let to people with a strong connection to Haddenham/Aldreth through the school, family or work.” 

He added: “I have only recently become involved in this project and must acknowledge the fantastic work by past Chair Mark Hugo and his team over the last six years.” 

Ely Standard: HCLT Chair Stephen Thompson, with Vice-Chair Tor Taylor, Past Chair Mark Hugo and Ovins Rise Site Manager Paul Elliott of Palace Green Homes.HCLT Chair Stephen Thompson, with Vice-Chair Tor Taylor, Past Chair Mark Hugo and Ovins Rise Site Manager Paul Elliott of Palace Green Homes. (Image: HCLT)

Ely Standard: The newly installed play area at Ovins Rise.The newly installed play area at Ovins Rise. (Image: HCLT)

Ely Standard: The Ovins Rise site.The Ovins Rise site. (Image: Ovins Rise)