The final affordable homes at St Michael’s Hurst in Bishop’s Stortford have been handed over, bringing the total on the estate to 175.

Six Vistry properties were transferred to SettleParadigm Housing Group at the start of August.

They completed the transfer of 50 affordable homes in Phase E of the development.

The wider St Michael’s Hurst scheme, off Rye Street, has delivered 529 properties across five phases, alongside a care home and extensive green infrastructure, with the entire scheme expected to complete this summer.

Verity Macey, managing director at Vistry Central Home Counties, said: “The completion of all 175 affordable homes for SettleParadigm marks an important milestone for Hazel End and reflects the strength of our partnership in delivering much-needed housing for the local area.

“Together, we have created high-quality homes that form part of a wider mixed-tenure community, with the infrastructure, green spaces and amenities needed to support residents for generations to come.”

Martyn Jones, executive director for development and regeneration at SettleParadigm said, “This announcement is significant, as it’s about more than just taking ownership of these homes - it’s about what they mean for the 50 households who will now have a quality, secure place to set down foundations from which they can build their lives.

“We’ve been working in partnership with Vistry for four years on the final two phases of this scheme.

"We have now delivered those firm foundations to 175 households, and people are already telling us what a positive difference these affordable homes have made to their lives. “This is a great reflection of what can be done when we work closely with partners including the local council.”

Vistry is the UK’s leading provider of mixed-tenure homes, operating across 23 regions. The business sells homes on the open market as Bovis Homes, Linden Homes, and Countryside Homes.