Keys have been handed over to some of the first residents of a new affordable housing development near Market Drayton.
The 14 new homes at Forest Edge in Loggerheads have been built for The Wrekin Housing Group by Shropshire Homes.
The development lies on the edge of the village off Market Drayton Road, next to the fire station, and will include a total of 56 houses along with public open space once completed.
Speaking after receiving their keys, the new tenants said they were overjoyed with their homes and couldn’t wait to get settled in.
They included new parents Jade Barnett and Ant White, along with their baby daughter Charlotte.
Jade, 32, said getting the keys to their first family home felt like “freedom”.
She said: “It won’t sink in until we’re settled. We live in Silverdale with my mother-in-law but it’s getting pretty cramped because Ant’s brother is there, and his partner.”
Jade said she fell in love with the property when she first came to look around, and was also happy to be moving just five minutes from her sister’s house.
She said: “When I came to look at the house I loved it. The size of the house is amazing, it’s not too big and not too small.”
New neighbour Jill Suddes, 42, was also looking for a family home, as she needed to move out of her old property in Madeley.
With four boys, aged 17, 16, 14 and 12, Jill said the biggest selling point of the house was the downstairs toilet – and is planning to get moved in quickly with so many pairs of helping hands.
She said: “I just thought it was a lovely house, and I was taken aback because I didn’t expect a new build, so it was a nice surprise.
“All my children have got friends around here so they’ll be happy.
“I love it, I can’t wait to move in now.”
Of the 14 Wrekin homes on the development, nine were made available for affordable rent while the remaining five are shared ownership.
Assistant project manager Katie Schulz said: “The Wrekin Housing Group is very proud to have been able to provide these good quality, affordable new homes for local families.
“We know there is a real need for this type of housing in our rural communities and we’re happy to help play our part in meeting the demand.
“At Forest Edge we aren’t just providing houses, we’re building a lasting community of people who love their homes, love their neighbourhood and have real pride in where they live.”
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