A new apartment complex opened in Collingwood Road on Saturday in a ceremony attended by local councillors and Witham MP Priti Patel.

The development, Lime Tree Place, is aimed at first-time buyers on the Help to Buy scheme.

It is located a stone’s throw from the station and offer 75 one-bedroom and 22 two-bedroom flats.

Developers Equinox Living said: “Every inch of space is maximised, doing away with hallways, creating light, bright, high-spec and high-tech homes.”

The building used to house NHS offices but now features one-gigabyte hyperoptic broadband to entice tech-savvy young professionals.

MP for Witham Priti Patel cut the ribbon at the opening ceremony, which was also attended by town mayor Clare Lager and councillor Angela Kilmartin.

Ms Patel said: “I was impressed with the quality of the properties I looked at. They are affordable, good quality, apartments in a handy location for local amenities and for Witham Station.

“The people who are moving into this development are going to be my constituents, so it is only right that I should take an interest in the type and quality of homes that are being built here!”

Some of the apartments have already been sold, with most of them going to first time buyers.

Darius Ziatabari, director and co-founder of Equinox Living said: “These new homes are built to a very high specification and in a price bracket that avoids Stamp Duty. With Help to Buy, they are eminently in reach of young people starting out in life and career.

“New residents moving in will benefit from hardwood floors, Italian Arta Cucine kitchens, quartz worktops and Bosch appliances. Landscaped gardens with amenities are also a feature of Lime Tree Place.”

For more information on the development, visit limetreeplacewitham.co.uk.