Stylish living with striking interiors and private balconies or garden spaces: welcome to Flora Court in Thornton Heath.

This is the first look at the 100 per cent affordable development which provides the opportunity to get on the housing ladder with shared ownership for as little £78,750  which is 25 per cent share of the £315,000 price tag.

The only  draw back is that even with a mortgage you will still have to find a deposit of around 20 per cent (£16,000). It’s the dilemma for young people the country over how can you afford to buy your first house with property prices so high?

Croydon Council is trying to buck the trend by providing good quality public sector housing by using sites it already owns and transforming them into high quality architectural buildings.

The sales brochure for the development which is being marketed as  ‘vibrant community, local character and great connections’ provides herringbone tiling on the floor from the living room through to the bathroom with windows big enough to allow in plenty of light.

There is no doubt the images show a desirable living space. Thornton Heath is still one of the last affordable places to buy with great connections into central London and Croydon, making the homes ideal for first time buyers.

The land in Chipstead Avenue was once occupied by a care home and was sold to Brick by Brick for around £18,000.

Development company Brick by Brick, was set up by Croydon Council  in 2016, and is offering 24 one and two-bedroom apartments at Flora Court. As Croydon Council is Brick by Brick’s sole shareholder, all profits from the sale of Brick by Brick homes are returned to the council as a dividend, which can be used to provide affordable homes or fund council services.

Flora Court also includes three affordable rented homes, which will be handed back to the council and managed by Croydon Affordable Homes, a charity set up for residents on the council housing waiting list.

The homes, which are prioritised for Croydon residents for the first two months, are set along a mews adjacent to the library and approximately five minutes’ walk from Thornton Heath station. 

Colm Lacey, Brick by Brick chief executive, said: “Flora Court epitomises this approach, providing 24 homes for shared ownership as well as three homes for the council to house those most in need. We are exceptionally proud of this development and can’t wait for the first residents to move in.”

Councillor Alison Butler,  deputy leader and cabinet member for homes and Gateway services, said: “This will be the first of many Brick by Brick schemes giving local people affordable rented homes, which will remain in the public sector for those in need for many years to come.”

For more info, register at www.bxbdevlopment.com, visit the Brick by Brick shop at 62 George St, or call (20) 020 7539 3745 or email sales@bxbdevelopment.com