Stonewater have completed the final phase of affordable homes in Poundbury’s North East Quadrant.
The event marks the social housing provider’s completion of a five-year housebuilding programme which has helped to deliver 72 homes in Poundbury for low-cost rent and affordable shared ownership. Financed by Stonewater, the properties were developed in partnership with West Dorset District Council, The Duchy of Cornwall and regional contractors CG Fry & Son and Morrish Builders.
Poundbury is a 400-acre mixed-use urban extension to the western edge of Dorchester, designed under the direction of HRH The Prince of Wales as a walkable and sustainable community which gives priority to people over cars. It houses around 3,000 local people in a mix of rental and shared ownership homes on land owned by the Duchy of Cornwall. One in three Poundbury homes (35%) is affordable housing. The North East Quadrant is the third phase of the Duchy development which, when completed in 2022, will provide a mix of 505 new homes, commercial premises, a public park and community facilities. By 2025, with the addition of the North West Quadrant, Poundbury will expand to at least 2,200 homes.
Stonewater’s most recently completed mini-scheme in the North East Quadrant offers eight three-bedroom houses and one two-bedroom coach house for affordable rent, and four three-bedroom houses and one two-bedroom coach house for low-cost shared ownership. Built by local contractors Morrish Builders, the energy-efficient properties, some with private gardens, are within a close distance of Poundbury’s public transport, local schools, shops, services and leisure facilities. The community also has its own garden allotments and cycle routes to nearby Dorchester.
Jonathan Layzell, Stonewater’s Executive Director for Development, commented: “We’re delighted to have completed this significant affordable housebuilding programme in the North East Quadrant with the support of The Duchy of Cornwall, the Council and our construction partners.
“With second-home ownership and wealthy incomers inflating the housing market in the Dorchester area, it’s becoming extremely difficult for local people — particularly young families — to afford a place to live in the local community. We hope our Poundbury homes are helping to address this problem and that this most recently completed Stonewater development will provide 14 local families with a fantastic home of their own.”
This latest Stonewater housing scheme has provided six local apprentice placements in a variety of roles throughout the construction, including carpentry and bricklaying.
Ben Murphy, Estate Director for the Duchy of Cornwall, said: “The Duchy of Cornwall is committed to delivering a vibrant mixed-use community in Poundbury with a wide range of high quality housing to meet local housing need, and we are proud to deliver 35% affordable housing for people and families on the local housing register. I am delighted that Stonewater has managed to provide six local apprentice placements throughout the construction of these magnificent properties, helping meet two of the key principles of Poundbury: to create local jobs and to support traditional building and craftsmanship.”
Councillor Tim Yarker, West Dorset District Council’s Portfolio Holder for Housing, added: “It is fantastic that Stonewater has managed to build so many high quality, affordable homes on this one site in the last five years. Affordable housing makes an essential contribution to the sustainability of the local community and assists in fulfilling local housing need. “
Pictured above at the ribbon-cutting ceremony to mark the handover of the final phase of affordable new Stonewater homes in Poundbury’s North East Quadrant are, from left to right; Mike Coleman, Poundbury Residents Association Vice Chairman; Councillor Timothy Yarker, West Dorset District Council Portfolio Holder for Housing; Fran Leaper, Poundbury (Manco 2) Ltd Director; Jonathan Layzell, Stonewater Executive Director of Development and Jamie Whale, Morrish Builders Associate Director of Operations.
