NEW homes that are being constructed can now be purchased off plan.

Developer Countryside has launched its exciting new development at St Luke’s Park, in Runwell.

Three and four bedroom homes are now avilable at St Luke’s Park with prices starting from £385,000 for a three bedroom home and £549,995 for a four bedroom house. Prices for the five bedroom Oak start from £624,995.

Two bedroom houses and apartments are due to be released later in the year.

The development at the former Runwell Hospital opened its marketing suite in April to potential purchasers who have been able to secure three, four and five bedroom homes off-plan in its first phase.

Countryside is working towards a regeneration of the entire grounds that will consist of up to 575 homes including one and two bedroom apartments and two, three, four and five bedroom houses. 

Chris Bladon, Managing Director of Countryside’s New Homes and Communities Eastern Region said: “Launching the first phase of a development is always very exciting.

"The development has already proving to be extremely popular and we are anticipating a lot more interest from home buyers due to the ideal location, huge scale of regeneration and improvements planned for the area.

"The diverse range of homes available are selling very qucikly. The new marketing suite marks the start of the fantastic new community that will develop at St Luke’s Park.”

The former Runwell Hospital closed its doors in April 2010, and demolition of the buildings started in July 2012.

The latest plan for the St Luke’s Park development with 575 new homes and a school was passed back in 2013 and residents were grateful of the end of uncertain times.

Back in 2010 plans were drawn up for a new prison on the old hospital site, this was met by anger from residents living near by the site.

Runwell Parish Council held a survey to gather the opinion of the residents following the plans for a new jail which would was set to hold 1,500 inmates.

Out of the 1,200 homes that received the survey only 175 households responded and of those 62 per cent, or 70 homes were against the jail. Of those questioned, 38 per cent, or 66 homes, were in favour of the jail.

Thirty-nine householders were opposed to both the prison and plans for 624 homes, which had previously been earmarked for the site.

The campaign also set up a protest van travel around the area with protesters attempting to convince people to vote against the new planned jail.