A celebration event has taken place to mark the first major affordable homes development in Ashburton for 22 years.
Social housing provider LiveWest teamed up with Dartmoor National Park Authority, Teignbridge District Council, and local developers Coyde Construction to develop a scheme for 39 affordable homes in the town.
Work started to develop four-acre site in March last year and some of the homes are now completed as residents prepare to move in during July. The development includes a range of homes, from one to four-bedroom properties, including a two-bedroom bungalow which will be specifically built for a wheelchair user. The homes will be a mix of 25 social rent and 14 shared ownership properties.
The development, due to be completed by the end of the year, benefits from Homes England grant funding.
Gareth Jones, Development Director for LiveWest, said: “We are very excited to see some of the homes at Ashburton have been completed. Our vision is to create homes and communities that people love to live in, and this is a location which definitely supports this.
“We have a commitment to deliver new affordable homes across the South West to help address local housing needs. With the support of grant funding from Homes England, we are able to deliver all 39 homes at Ashburton as affordable housing. It was fantastic to see so many future residents at the event and we are looking forward to handing over the keys to their new homes in July.”
Executive Member for Housing at Teignbridge District Council, Cllr Martin Wrigley, commented: “The high demand for these new homes shows the real need for quality, affordable homes and the benefits that come from different organisations working together with a local developer. I am delighted that Ashburton locals have now got secure affordable homes, and I am sure that this will be a great place to live.”
Jenny Coyde, Managing Director for Coyde Construction, said: “We are delighted to be working with LiveWest helping to bring their vision and commitment to fruition on this exciting project in Ashburton. We are looking forward to seeing families enjoying the homes and play park on completion.”
The last affordable housing development in Ashburton was completed in 2000.
Since then, the Ashburton Affordable Housing Group, its successor Ashburton Community Land Trust and Ashburton Town Council, have continued to explore ways of working with partners to provide and allocate more affordable homes for residents and people with a close connection to the town.
Philip Sanders, Chair of Development Management Committee for Dartmoor National Park Authority, commented: “This affordable housing scheme is a credit to the persistent hard work of all the partners involved, including the National Park Authority planning team, Teignbridge housing team, LiveWest and Ashburton Town Council.
“It is great to see the development moving forward to provide much needed affordable housing which is so important to sustaining Ashburton as a thriving and vibrant Dartmoor community.”
Philip Vogel, Ashburton Town Council Mayor, said: “Ashburton Town Council celebrates the completion of this first phase of social rent, and shared ownership homes at Lucy’s Mead, for those with connections to Ashburton. This investment provides the community, that is Ashburton, with the first major affordable homes developed in the Town for 22 years.
“The time taken to complete construction, despite Covid-19, is a testament to partnership and cooperative working between Dartmoor National Park, LiveWest, Teignbridge District Council, Coyde Construction, Homes England, Devon County Council, Jean Distin and Ashburton Town Council.
“Ashburton Town Council would also like to thank those officers both front facing, and who worked in the background in all organisations, for ensuring a sound allocations policy, dealing with applicants, and generally answering the inevitable day to day queries.”
Tracey Harper, who is due to move into her new home in July, said: “Me and my husband are very much looking forward to moving into our new home at Ashburton. The views are stunning and the homes look lovely.
“My husband developed a rare eye condition which means he has only got 6% of his vision. This will be a new start for him and the perfect location as it will be nice and quiet.
“LiveWest made the process of applying for a home really simple and were helpful and supportive throughout the process. We can’t wait to get in now and start a new chapter in our lives.”
