Franklands Drive FAQ's

Frequently Asked Questions

Why are you building at Franklands Drive?

The site at Franklands Drive has been earmarked for residential development for many years and as such is deemed by the planning authorities to be a suitable site for the new homes. The need for affordable housing in the Runnymede BC area is enormous. As housing associations, our aim is to provide affordable housing for shared ownership sale, social rent and intermediate rent. The site provides the opportunity to provide a range of affordable housing types to meet the need for affordable housing in Runnymede.

Why are you building 350 homes?

The planning and highways authorities deemed that the Franklands Drive site is capable of accommodating 350 new dwellings. In order to maximise the potential offered by the site, our proposal is to build 350 homes. Many families, couples and single people who cannot afford a home can look forward to a new home at the Franklands Drive development.

What is the proposed tenure mix at the development?

It is proposed that 40% of the new homes will be for shared ownership sale, 11% will be for intermediate rent and the remaining 49% being for social rent. There is some flexibility to adjust this mix to reflect the availability of grant funding for the development.

What arrangements have been made to minimise disruption to local residents from construction lorries and deliveries?

Our main contractor, Durkan Limited, are members of the Considerate Contractors Scheme, an independently verified code of conduct to ensure disruption associated with construction works is minimised. As such, they have given careful consideration to the most suitable routes for construction traffic to journey to and from the site. All Durkan employees, their subcontractors and suppliers are supplied with details of the designated routes along with restrictions in relation to delivery times and parking. In addition, signage will direct construction vehicles to use the designated routes and prevent the use of non-designated routes. Please contact us directly of you see a vehicle associated with the development causing an inconvenience.

How do I qualify for a shared ownership home?

The shared ownership homes are aimed at assisting first time buyers. Please make contact with us directly so that we can discuss your individual circumstances.

What is Intermediate Rent?

Homes for intermediate rent will be let at rent levels that are typically 20% below the open market rent for similar properties in the area. They are aimed at people who do not qualify for homed for social rent but can’t afford, don’t qualify or do not wish to purchase a shared ownership property. Intermediate rented dwellings are often popular with key workers such as nurses, teachers, and those that work in the emergency services.

How do I qualify for a rented home?

The letting of social rented homes will be controlled by Runnymede Borough Council. Please contact us directly if you are interested in being a social tenant at the development.

Why aren’t there any properties for sale at the development?

Our aim as housing associations is to meet the housing needs of those that are unable to access the owner occupied sector and to provide housing for rent at social rents or less than market rents. We will be providing homes for first time buyers on a shared ownership basis at the Franklands Drive development. Shared owners have the right to “staircase up” to own 100% of their property. Once 100% of the equity is owned, those properties can be sold on the open market. Therefore, over time, it is likely that properties will be available for sale.

Will there be any play areas for the children?

The development incorporates a range of play facilities for children. Five designated play areas will be spread across the development. A larger play area will also be provided which will include a wider array of play equipment. A larger recreation area will provide space for informal leisure activities.

Will you provide any new shops in the development?

We have no plans to provide any shops within the development. We believe that the shops in the local area will benefit from additional business as a result of the new development.

Please contact us if you have any further questions about the development.