Liberal Democrats Deliver Major Affordable Housing Boost in Ascot

Residents across the Royal Borough will benefit from a significant expansion of genuinely affordable housing after councillors approved plans to help deliver 59 new social rent homes at the Heatherwood Royal development in Ascot. 

The project will see RBWM invest £3.4 million of Section 106 affordable housing funding to support the creation of the new homes, working in partnership with Man Group and registered housing provider Habitare Homes. The scheme will transform properties that would otherwise have been sold on the open market into much-needed social rent housing. 

This is a major win for local residents. The council's housing register currently includes 905 households, many of whom are waiting for one, two and three-bedroom homes. The 59 new homes will provide accommodation for families and individuals who would otherwise struggle to find affordable housing in one of the most expensive parts of the borough. 

Importantly, the homes will be let at social rent, the most affordable form of rented housing, typically around half of market rent levels. The council will also secure 100% nomination rights for the first lettings, ensuring local people in housing need benefit directly from the development. 

The Liberal Democrats have long championed the need for more affordable housing across the borough and have worked to ensure that developer contributions are used to deliver tangible benefits for residents. 

This investment represents a rare opportunity to secure a substantial number of affordable homes in Ascot, at an average cost of £57,000 per unit, where housing demand is high and opportunities for new social housing are limited.

It is a practical example of the Liberal Democrats' commitment to putting local people first and delivering the homes our communities need.