The first properties at a housing development which will see hundreds of homes built on land in Stevenage known as Forster Country have been released for sale.

Housebuilder Bellway is set to deliver 400 homes on the site, with separate developer Miller Homes to deliver a further 396 homes.

The scheme - named Forster Park - also includes a new primary school, shops, commercial space and public plaza. 

Forster Country lies within the St Nicholas Conservation Area and includes author EM Forster's childhood home Rooks Nest House, Grade I-listed St Nicholas Church and Grade II-listed The Bury.

The housing development has proved controversial, and the Friends of Forster Country group sought to stop development on the land. The group's campaign received the support of actress Emma Thompson and hundreds of residents.

Now, Bellway has opened its interim sales and marketing suite at the site, and released the first properties for sale, ranging in price from £375,000 for a two-bedroom semi-detached house to £585,000 for a four-bedroom detached house.

In the first phase of construction, Bellway is delivering 105 homes, including 75 two, three and four-bedroom properties for private sale and 30 affordable homes for rent or shared ownership.

As part of the planning agreements for the whole scheme, the developers have committed to investing £1.1 million in local infrastructure, including healthcare, schools, transport and sports facilities.

Suggested reading

Greg Allsop, sales director for Bellway North London, said: "Our Forster Park development will create modern homes with sustainability in mind.

"As part of our commitment to sustainable development and energy efficiency, each property will have photovoltaic panels and triple glazing, as well as an electric vehicle charging point.

"This scheme is bringing significant benefits to the area, from the jobs it is creating to the £1.1 million that the wider scheme is generating in investment in local services as part of the planning agreement.

"As a five-star rated builder with the Home Builders Federation, we pride ourselves on excellent customer service and visitors will be able to experience that from the first moment they meet our team. We are looking forward to showing potential buyers the wide range of properties that we are delivering to meet the needs of the local area."

To find out more about Forster Park, visit bellway.co.uk/new-homes/north-london/forster-park or call the sales team on 01438 500761.