There are no January blues for Accent Housing, the social housing company with headquarters in Bradford and Peterborough, as it heads into 2026 in a strong position after signing contracts for three significant new affordable housing developments across Surrey, Milton Keynes and Wisbech, reinforcing its commitment to delivering high-quality, sustainable, affordable homes in areas of acute housing need.
Together, the schemes will deliver more than 230 new affordable homes and form part of Accent’s current Affordable Homes Programme (AHP) 2021–26 with Homes England, supporting local communities and long-term regeneration.
In Surrey Heath, Accent has completed the land purchase and works contract with Howarth Contractors for a new development at Woodlands Lane, Windlesham, with contracts signed on the 22 December. The scheme has full planning permission for 20 new affordable homes, comprising 10 homes for Affordable Rent and 10 for Shared Ownership. Accent expects to be on site in early spring 2026.
Windlesham, which has a population of around 17,000, sits close to Bagshot, Deepcut and Lightwater, where Accent has recently started work on another new development delivering 21 affordable homes. The Woodlands Lane scheme builds on Accent’s growing presence in the area and its ongoing investment in Surrey Heath.
In Milton Keynes, Accent entered into contract on the 24 December for 113 new affordable homes at Newton Leys, a sustainable urban extension to the south of the city. The homes will be built by Taylor Wimpey and will include 15 homes for Social Rent, 62 for Affordable Rent and 36 for Shared Ownership.
Newton Leys is located close to the M1, A5 and A4146, providing strong transport links to Northampton, Bedford and Cambridge. The development also benefits from a new primary school, a supermarket and more than 50 hectares of green open space. Accent expects to begin receiving handovers from late 2026.
Meanwhile, Accent’s Board approved plans for a major new scheme at Sandy Lane, Walsoken, near Wisbech, in the Fenland district. Accent entered into contract with Seagate Homes on the 29 December for the land and build. The development will deliver 100 new homes, including 16 for Social Rent, 50 for Affordable Rent and 34 for Shared Ownership.
The Sandy Lane scheme is expected to be on site by March 2026, with new homes to be delivered from 2027, further strengthening Accent’s affordable housing offer in Cambridgeshire.
“This is a really positive investment for Windlesham and the wider Surrey Heath area. These homes will help local people stay in the communities they know, whether they are looking to rent affordably or take a first step onto the housing ladder.” - Steve Morris, Executive Director of Development and Sales at Accent.
“2025 was a very strong year for Accent’s Strategic Partnership. By securing these three developments before the end Christmas with work due to start later this year, Accent continues to demonstrate strong delivery against its AHP 2021–26 programme with Homes England and our long-term ambition to provide safe, affordable and sustainable homes in communities across the country.” - Alex Francis, Development Programme Manager at Accent.
