Princess Anne has opened Havebury’s latest housing development in Bury St Edmunds.
Perry Barn Close at Priors Avenue is a brand-new purpose-built development. Consisting of 33 stylish houses and flats, providing affordable housing to the area.
Karen Mayhew, Chief Executive of Havebury Housing Partnership said:
“We are honoured that HRH The Princess Royal has visited our new development and met some of our residents. We were all extremely excited as it’s not every day you have a royal visitor!”
The development is on the site of a former Greene King public house, the Priors Inn. Which Havebury bought in December 2013, along with two neighbouring bungalows.
The scheme cost a total £3.1 million, £600,000 of which came from a government grant from the Homes & Communities Agency (HCA). The architect was Ingleton Wood and the building of the properties was by Dove Jeffery Homes. Also involved in the project management were AECOM and Richard Jackson Engineering Consultants.
Princess Anne
Princess Anne met Havebury staff and tenants whilst visiting.
She also viewed many properties on the development, which completed in May. Including the homes of Patricia Torgilsman and Rachael Leeves.
Ms Leeves lives in a two-bed rented semi-detached house with her daughter Matilda, aged 16 months. She said: “I can’t wait to share the experience with Matilda when she’s old enough. Not everyone can say they’ve had a real Princess in their home!”
Mrs Torgilsman added: “It was a real privilege to meet Princess Anne. I was very nervous but she was very easy to talk to and so down-to-earth and she really put me at my ease.”
After being shown around, Princess Anne unveiled a plaque at All Saints Church which will be transferred to the housing development and was presented with a posy by four-year-old Lola Pollard and her nine-year-old sister Lilly, before being waved off by children from All Saints Pre-School.
