Colchester City Council, with the support of Colchester Borough Homes, has taken handover of the final phase of affordable rent housing at the Mersea Homes Chesterwell development, following a ceremony held yesterday (31 July).
Councillor Julie Young, Deputy Leader of the Council and Portfolio Holder for Housing, joined representatives from Mersea Homes on site to mark the occasion and celebrate the delivery of 32 new high-quality homes for local residents on the council’s housing register.
The council secured a mix of one to four-bedroom properties, including units specifically designed for residents with mobility and accessibility needs, comprising:
- 4 x 1-bed homes, including 2 fully wheelchair-accessible
- 2 x 2-bed homes
- 21 x 3-bed family homes
- 5 x 4-bed homes
The homes, which are being managed by Colchester Borough Homes, have already been let to:
- 5 households in Band A
- 14 households in Band B
- 3 households who have downsized, freeing up larger family homes
- 3 residents with full-time wheelchair access needs
- 1 resident requiring a level access shower
One of the first families to move into Chesterwell described how life-changing the new home has been: “Our previous two-storey home presented significant challenges for our daughter, who uses a wheelchair, isolating her upstairs. Viewing our new home at Chesterwell offered hope for improved living conditions, promising an end to her isolation and better support for her and her brothers' needs, including one with autism.
“This new property accommodates all our daughter's medical equipment. She can now access the garden and downstairs areas, allowing her to interact with the family. The wet room has greatly improved daily care and hygiene. This home supports our daughter's recovery and independence and is adaptable for our family's future needs. We are truly living as a family again.
“These properties are vital for families with physical disabilities. We are grateful every day to have our children and to help make their lives more comfortable and manageable.”
Several of the homes are located on Alistair Day Way, named in honour of the late Alistair Day, the council’s Specialist Planning Manager, who passed away in October 2021. Alistair played a key role in shaping Colchester’s planning policy and helped lay the foundations for sustainable, inclusive growth across the city.
Speaking after the ceremony, Cllr Julie Young said: “The official handover at Chesterwell is more than just the completion of an acquisition – it’s the realisation of our commitment to deliver homes that truly meet the needs of our community. These homes represent more than just bricks and mortar – they offer people the opportunity to live in safe, secure, high-quality accommodation.
“I’m especially proud that some of these homes have gone to residents with high care and access needs, and that others have enabled older households to downsize – freeing up much-needed family homes elsewhere. This project shows what’s possible when councils take a proactive approach to housing, and I want to thank Mersea Homes for working with us to make it a reality.
“Today’s handover has also given us the chance to remember Alistair Day, our planning officer, who did so much to shape the development of our city and who is greatly missed.
“The Chesterwell scheme reflects the council’s determination to not only build more homes, but to build the right homes – in the right places, for the right people. It’s a model we’ll continue to pursue as we push to meet rising demand across Colchester.”
Page last reviewed: 31 July 2025