Ipswich: Aviva announce 163 home plan for Grafton Way

Developers Galliard Homes was given planning permission to develop the site by Ipswich Council last year - and preparatory work has now begun.

Ground works for the new development have started after planning permission was granted last year. (Image: Mountford Pigott)

And it has emerged every one of the two, three and four-bedroomed homes has been bought for the rental market by Aviva Investors and build-to-rent specialists Packaged Living.

The new homes will be built with heat-pumps rather than traditional boilers or electric heating - and each will have an EV plug so drivers of electric vehicles can charge them up at  home.

Most of the homes will be offered at market rent - but the developers are having discussions with Ipswich Council about making some available as affordable homes.

Neil MacDonald welcomed the proposed eco-homes. (Image: Archant)Neil MacDonald is housing portfolio holder at the borough.

He said: "This looks very promising. They are offering homes for the long-term for people who want to live here.

"We are talking to them about affordable homes but the fact that they will be offering tenants security, and they will have the secutity of long-term tenancies, is very good."

The leader of the Liberal Democrat group at the council, Oliver Holmes, also welcomed the investment.

He said: "This is a really exciting development. The Aviva Build-to-Rent scheme will provide much needed housing to a high eco-standard in the middle of the town.

"It will also transform a derelict gateway site and vastly improve the river frontage and footpath to Stoke Bridge."

Aviva Investors, part of the Norwich-based insurance giant, has other similar developments in the West Midlands and in Europe.

James Stevens of Aviva Investors said: “We are pleased to add a further scheme to our portfolio of residential developments, which will help to provide energy-efficient and affordable housing to an undersupplied market.”