Handover ceremony marks completion of 30 new affordable homes in Ipswich

The SEH French team are thrilled to have handed over 30 new affordable homes to Ipswich Borough Council – with the development named in honour of the town’s former mayor.

Our work to redevelop the former Hope Church in Fore Hamlet into flats completed late last year, with representatives from the council invited to join us in January for a handover and naming ceremony.

The development will now be known as Roger Fern House, named in honour of a previous mayor and headteacher of four local primary schools, who passed away in 2021.

Simon Hubert, our Contracts Director, said: “It was an honour to hand over the keys to these fantastic new affordable homes to Ipswich Borough Council.

“These high-quality, energy efficient homes have been built to the highest standard and are in a great location, just a stone’s throw from the waterfront and town centre. 

“We hope the development stands as a tribute to a man who has clearly had such a lasting and positive impact on our town.”

Work on the development, for our client Handford Homes (Ipswich Borough Council’s housing development arm), began in March 2024.

The building comprises 20 two-bedroom flats, eight one-bedroom flats and two accessible apartments.

Each flat has access to a shared garden, alongside electric car charging spaces. 

Councillor Alasdair Ross, Ipswich Borough Council Portfolio Holder for Housing, said: “We are delighted to continue making significant progress in our efforts to provide more high-quality homes to meet local demand. 

“This new development being named after our former Ipswich Mayor, Roger Fern, captures the commitment, servitude, and love for the people of Ipswich that he had, and it is a very fitting tribute that will honour his memory for many decades to come.”

To see more examples of our work in the housing sector, visit our case studies page here.