Transforming neighbourhoods in Belton

The building of 11 new homes in March 2025 marks the final stage of a £5million regeneration project in Belton spanning several years.

Check out a timeline and further details on how the community has been transformed:

• 2018 – the creation of Hawthorne and Biddle Closes (next to Ashtree Close), containing 16 new homes.
• May 2021 – public consultation with local residents and existing Ashtree Close tenants about development plans.
• July 2021 – planning application submitted for 27 new homes on Ashtree Close, consisting of 12 one and two-bed bungalows and two and three-bed houses. These would replace the old homes which had several issues and were becoming difficult to re-let, plus help to reduce increasing anti-social behaviour and crime within the area. Work would take place over two separate phases to minimise disruption. The plans also include fresh landscaping of the wider estate to provide safe play for local children, new roads and dedicated green-spaces containing wildflower meadows to boost biodiversity.
• Mid-2022 – demolition of derelict, empty flats completed.
• Towards the end of 2022 – work begins on the first phase (16 homes to replace the old flats and also built on unused garage bases). Tenants continue living on the site of the planned phase two works until the phase one homes are ready for them.
• October 2023 – March 2024 – the 16 homes are completed, with the first bungalows handing over in October, and tenants move in.
• December 2024 – demolition of the second phase of flats, before work begins on the second phase (11 additional homes for affordable rent).
• March 2025 – phase two work completes, with new tenants moving into the neighbourhood.

Demi-Lee has lived in the revitalised area since July 2024. She explained: “Although I’ve only lived here less than a year, I already feel like I’ve achieved so much more than where I lived before. Everyone in the neighbourhood is polite and friendly, the house is perfect for my family and we’ve been happy ever since.

“It’s a beautiful community to live in, totally transformed from years ago, and I’m incredibly proud to call it home.”