A newly completed rural development at Crouch Hill Close is providing homes for local people in Holwell. Leading housing provider Stonewater, which owns and manages more than 500 homes across West Dorset, has developed 14 new homes in partnership with building contractor Winsley White and architects Boon Brown.
To deliver the new homes, Stonewater also worked alongside employer’s agent and clerk of works, Baker Ruff Hannon.
The development which is made up entirely of affordable homes has been built for people who already have a local connection to the village area and has been supported by funding from the local authority, Dorset Council, and Homes England.
Comprising of two and three-bedroom houses, most of the homes at the newly completed development are available for affordable rent, but Stonewater has also provided four homes for shared ownership to give local aspiring homeowners more affordable routes to homeownership.
Each home has parking, its own private garden and has been installed with an air source heat pump — a low-carbon, renewable heat source estimated to be three times more efficient than traditional boilers.
To celebrate the village’s local history, Stonewater also commissioned sculpture artists Chainsaw Carving to create a piece of public art depicting the famous stag from the ancient legend ‘The Vale of the White Hart’, featuring King Richard II, with the tale engraved on the back of the sculpture.
Matt Crucefix, Director of Development (South and West) at Stonewater, said: “It’s been great to welcome our new customers over the last few weeks. The demand for housing in Holwell is high and market value housing is increasingly out of reach for many local people who wish to remain living in the area.
“We’re committed to supporting Councils like Dorset to tackle housing need by working with local contractors and partners to develop good-quality, affordable housing. These homes on Crouch Hill Close are a great example of how housing providers can sensitively provide much-needed, beautiful homes in rural areas.”
Cllr Carr-Jones, Portfolio Holder Housing and Community Safety at Dorset Council, added: “Dorset Council are pleased to see this all-affordable housing scheme completed. As well as helping to meet local housing need it will contribute to the continued sustainability of the local community. The Council congratulate Stonewater on finishing this development which has required considerable time and resources.”
Stonewater recently completed on another development with Winsley White, nearby in Yeovil. The regeneration project saw the transformation of a formerly derelict school into 24 much-needed affordable homes.
Sam Winsley, Director at Winsley White, said: “We are incredibly proud of the new homes in Holwell. Working throughout the pandemic brought with it unprecedented challenges, but these homes are the result of excellent working relationships and commitment from everyone involved. We hope that these homes become an asset to the village offering those who wish to stay locally the chance to make a forever home.”
