HRH The Princess Royal Opens New Affordable Homes in Manuden

The visit marked an important milestone for a development that will help support the long-term sustainability of Manuden. By providing a mix of affordable rented and shared ownership homes, the scheme contributes to a balanced and thriving community, helping to ensure the village remains a vibrant place to live for generations to come.

During the afternoon, The Princess Royal toured the development, viewed both a rented and a shared ownership home, met residents and learned more about the role affordable housing can play in supporting thriving rural communities.

The development provides 14 affordable homes, including 12 homes owned by English Rural and two homes delivered for the Legacy East Almshouse Partnership on behalf of the Manuden Almshouse Trust. The English Rural homes comprise seven affordable rented properties and five shared ownership homes, offering a range of housing options within the village.

Delivered with Pelham Structures Limited as part of the wider Narley Field Road development, the scheme demonstrates the value of partnership working in meeting local housing needs. The homes have been carefully designed to reflect the character of the village, using traditional brickwork and weatherboarding while incorporating energy-efficient features including solar panels, high levels of insulation and low-energy lighting.

The visit also provided an opportunity to bring together many of the organisations and individuals involved in delivering the homes, including representatives from local government, the development team, the parish council and community organisations. Following a tour of the homes and meetings with residents, The Princess Royal joined guests from across the community at Manuden Village Hall.

Martin Collett, Chief Executive of English Rural, said:

“It was a great pleasure to welcome our Patron, HRH The Princess Royal, to Manuden and to share what this development means for the future of the village.

Thriving rural communities depend on having a range of housing options that support people at different stages of life. Developments such as Narley Field Road help ensure villages like Manuden remain vibrant, sustainable places where communities can continue to flourish for generations to come.”

The visit reflects The Princess Royal’s longstanding support for rural communities and the important role that affordable housing plays in sustaining them. For English Rural, the opening was an opportunity to celebrate not only the completion of a high-quality development, but also the wider contribution that affordable housing makes to the resilience and sustainability of rural communities. As residents settle into their new homes, the development will help support the long-term future of Manuden as a thriving and inclusive village community.