Hi,
I received a provisional offer letter Mid August and I will be closing and getting my keys this week!! I have been on the affordable housing since 2005
My unit looked like it was nearly done when I viewed it and picked it but it still took a long time and 3 snag list later it is complete.
The truth is with all new developments you will be given a date of completion but don't pay any attention to this as it will always take much longer, I think these dates are given just as an guesstimation, to keep you happy as no one wants to wait over a year for their new gaff.
I ended up going with the bank for my mortgage and not the council. You get yourself a private solicitor and all dealings between you and the house/developer are done through your solicitor and theirs. They will tell your solicitor when the unit is ready for snagging. It is a waiting game but just think of the money you can save! The council will be part of it until you decide if you want to stay with the council and get a mortgage/shared ownership off them or go privately through a bank....if it's the latter then that's the end of all association, besides the clawback when you sell the house, with the council.
There were people picking their units at the same time as me and their units had not even started to be built....so it does take some time!!
Anyway good luck, you'll get there eventually. The scariest part is trying to get that mortgage!!