Churchstow village is the latest community to benefit from affordable homes for local people. This is part of a wider scheme to increase the delivery of affordable housing for people living and working in the South Hams.
The district has continued to see a combination of rising housing costs and low average wages. With rural and coastal beauty spots commanding premium house prices and attracting second home owners, many areas such as Churchstow have seen demand for affordable homes increase. In many rural communities, house prices are changing the nature of villages, with young people and many key workers moving elsewhere.
The recently completed development of 16 beautifully presented homes offer shared ownership, rented with 3 open market properties. As a Village Housing Initiative development, the affordable homes are for local people now and in the future.
SHDC’s Cllr Hilary Bastone, Portfolio Holder for Customer First, added: “Affordable housing projects like this one make sure people with local backgrounds are able to find suitable homes. We set out affordable housing requirements for developers across the District and we’re pleased to see projects like these in the South Hams – an area which really needs homes for local people.”
The homes came to realisation following partnership working with Churchstow Parish Council and registered housing provider, DCH. The process started by finding appropriate land from a local landowner as part of the Village Housing Initiative and DCH worked with the original developer and South Hams District Council to agree the design of the homes and secure planning permission. During the design phase one of the Churchstow homes was designed to include specific modifications for wheelchair use.
Gareth Jones, Development Director for DCH, said: “We are delighted to have worked in partnership with SHDC on this scheme to provide much-needed high quality homes for local people in Churchstow. We are committed to investing in new homes and to supporting communities.”
There are a number of affordable home developments currently approaching occupancy in the Totnes area, including Totnes’ Baltic Wharf, Riverside and Follaton Oak. Sawmills at Dartington, Garden Close at Rattery and Stanborough Farm at Moreleigh.
Across the district affordable housing is also currently being built at Frogmore, Newton Ferrers, Wembury, South Brent and West Alvington.
For further information on available affordable homes contact: http://www.devonhomechoice.com/
