More affordable homes are set to be built in Plymouth thanks to a new Housing Partnership Agreement between Plymouth City Council and housing association LiveWest.
LiveWest, who already own and manage more than 3,000 properties throughout Plymouth, has teamed up with the Council for the Agreement which will see construction of at least an additional 153 new homes in the city. The partnership will bring forward £31m of investment opportunities with the Council providing land and £2.5m of financial assistance through the Plan for Homes. LiveWest, supported by Homes England strategic grant, will contribute £28m of funding.
Building on 49 of the new homes is already underway, at St Budeaux library and at Stirling House, the second flagship project for ex-service Veterans to be developed in Plymouth. Opportunities for a further 104 homes are being explored as both partners look to deliver the right homes in the right locations in the City.
The new homes funded through this Agreement will include a mix of social and affordable rent, as well as shared ownership, with a variety of house types to be offered including flats, self-build and family homes.
The agreement includes a commitment to work together to provide more energy-efficient low carbon homes, supporting the City’s Climate Emergency Action Plan.
Appropriately, the agreement was signed near the Abercrombie Exhibition at The Box on Friday. The Abercrombie Plan analysed all aspects of the city and the surrounding area, exploring everything from history to geography, demographics to agriculture and helped to rebuild the city after the Second World War.
Councillor Vivien Pengelly, Cabinet Member for Homes and Communities, said: “We are really pleased to be able to formally partner with LiveWest after enjoying a fabulous working relationship with them for a number of years. LiveWest is a key housing provider for the City and we want to maximise investment into homes in the City that meet local housing needs.
“The projects and developments they have already delivered in Plymouth have all been outstanding and I look forward to donning my hi-vis jacket and hard hat, and getting out on site to see the first of the new homes that this agreement promises.”
Paul Crawford, Chief Executive of LiveWest, added: “We are delighted to strengthen our partnership with Plymouth City Council to ensure the increased provision of affordable homes across the city.
“With significant demand for housing across the region, our primary focus as an organisation is to deliver new homes, with a focus on affordable homes. Our vision is to create homes and communities that people love to live in, and we are looking forward to working with Plymouth City Council to ensure that local housing need is met.
“As well as delivering housing to the city, there is also the added benefit of creating employment opportunities for local people and bringing substantial investment into the local economy.”
As part of the Agreement, LiveWest will participate in the Building Plymouth Programme by supporting several new construction apprenticeships helping people to move into full-time employment.
Previous LiveWest developments in the City have included the award-winning veterans self-build at the Nelson Project in Stonehouse, the provision of new homes in Barne Barton and Devonport, and the homes it has helped to deliver in larger strategic developments elsewhere in the city.
This is the Council’s second Housing Partnership Agreement and is part of the Council’s Plan for Homes, an ambitious five-year programme that supports a variety of new and affordable housing projects to tackle housing needs and homelessness. It also addresses existing poor housing conditions and sets out a clear vision of the future for housing in the city to support the delivery of the Joint Local Plan.
