New affordable homes in Darley Dale opened

Poppy Fields Close, off Bakewell Road, in Darley Dale, was opened by the Lord–Lieutenant for Derbyshire William Tucker, who unveiled a commemorative plaque at the site of 34 new homes.

The plaque features a verse from the popular wartime poem ‘In Flanders Fields’ by John McCrae.

The new energy–efficient properties, created by Waterloo Housing Group in partnership with Derbyshire Dales District Council, includes 24 rented homes, which have been let to local people through the authority’s Home-Options lettings scheme.

The development also features a mixture of two and three–bedroom houses, one and two–bedroom flats and two wheelchair–accessible bungalows. They also comprise ten two and three–bedroom shared ownership houses.

The development was built for Waterloo by contractor Westleigh Developments and attracted investment support of £1.2 million from the government’s Homes and Communities Agency.

The Lord–Lieutenant, Mr William Tucker, said: “It was a great privilege to open Poppy Fields and I wish the present and future residents every good wish. The name will act as a long–lasting reminder of the year in which it was opened.”

Councillor Lewis Rose, leader of Derbyshire Dales District Council, added: “In the past year we have poured £616,000 into schemes such as Poppy Fields – and we will continue to fight hard to attract additional funding to make these developments happen.”

Resident Deborah Shimwell, a trainee teaching assistant, and her six–year–old son Kristian were delighted with their new house at Poppy Fields Close.

She said: “It means everything to us to be living here in such a beautiful house.

“We’re now closer to family and are really happy to have our own garden.”