Two Riverside customers have spoken of their joy after moving into their new homes in the Shelford Road development in Radcliffe-on-Trent, Nottinghamshire.
Both customers have moved into shared ownership homes in the first phase of the £4.1m development, which offers a range of properties including two or three bedroom houses, one and two bedroom bungalows and one bedroom maisonettes – a mix of rent and shared ownership.
The scheme is being developed in partnership with housebuilders William Davis with 31 properties in the first phase to be followed by a further 35 in the second phase. The project is Riverside’s first in the borough of Rushcliffe – but two other developments are now also underway in Keyworth and Ruddington.
This latest development is part of Riverside’s ongoing commitment to transforming lives and revitalising neighbourhoods. Our specialist, award winning Riverside Home Ownership team has decades of experience in delivering home ownership services.
“It’s changed my life”
Liz, 40, from Newark moved into her new two-bedroom semi-detached home in June 2021 with her Irish Setter Rusty and says it’s changed her life.
Liz, said: “I had always been aware of shared ownership but was concerned that I couldn’t afford to buy on my own. However, I thought it was worth looking into, so I went onto the GOV.UK site to complete a shared ownership application form.
“I was really happy to be accepted as eligible and contacted Riverside. I was quickly contacted back by someone in the Riverside Home Ownership team and they advised there were two properties available in Radcliffe on Trent. I just had a good hunch about this house with Riverside so I took the plunge and went to view the house and I couldn’t believe how beautiful it was. I reserved it straightaway!
“The Riverside staff I’ve dealt with have been great. I’ve felt throughout this process that they’ve been very accessible particularly because I work during the day and there were a couple of times we spoke in the evenings.
“Getting this new house – it’s changed my life. It’s meant I can continue to be myself and afford to live and be my own woman without having to rely on anybody. It’s a very welcoming and thriving community because everyone is “new” it feels like we’re all in it together.”
“I can’t stop smiling”
Vickie, 39, can’t stop smiling having moved into a three-bedroom semi-detached house in the same development with her two children in February 2022.
Vickie, said: “I absolutely love the house, I can’t stop smiling. It’s the most security I’ve ever had and I can’t believe it’s mine.
“I had been renting for 13 years before this. Rent prices are phenomenally high at the moment, meaning it’s really tough to save and it’s been difficult getting back onto the property ladder.
“A friend mentioned this development in Radcliffe-on-Trent and the possibility of shared ownership. Riverside was efficient from the get-go and they did an assessment to check whether I could proceed with shared ownership.
“I’m just so grateful to Riverside for everything they’ve done. The kids love their new bigger bedrooms and having a big garden. We feel so settled even after only living here for a short time. The last few years has been a hard slog, but I now feel really happy.
“I’ve been looking for something like this for years. I also really appreciated the Riverside Information Pack which was waiting for me when I moved in – it’s really useful and explains how everything works in the home like the heating system, cooker and how to report faults. It’s been a very efficient service.
“My message to anyone struggling to get onto the property ladder is – ‘look into shared ownership as an option.’ I’ve already told my friends!”
“It’s a priority for Riverside to provide affordable homes for local families”
Ian Woodland, Riverside’s Regional Development Lead, said:
“We are delighted to hear the excellent feedback from the new residents and how happy they are with their new homes. With the housing costs being so high in Rushcliffe generally, it’s a priority for Riverside to provide affordable homes for local families either to rent or buy through shared ownership, and it’s always heartening to hear of how the work we do genuinely changes lives for the better.
“As well as this project at Shelford Road, we are also working with William Davis on three other developments in Leicestershire and Derbyshire. The quality of the houses on all of them is superb – and the people at William Davis are some of the best we work with.”
Riverside Home Ownership is part of The Riverside Group. Riverside is one of the UK’s leading not-for-profit social housing and regeneration organisations, owning or managing around 75,000 homes from Irvine to Kent. We are a leading provider of supported housing services, particularly for those affected by homelessness, and our track record of transforming lives and revitalising neighbourhoods dates back over 100 years. We have plans to build over 15,000 affordable homes over the next decade.