The second phase of a new development of 18 affordable homes in Lydney has started.
Social housing provider Stonewater is delivering the mixed scheme of low-cost shared ownership and rental homes in Edwin Jones Way, which is part of the Redrow Homes’ new Severn Heights development off Highfield Road. Stonewater handed over the first phase of homes — a mix of eight one-, two- and three-bedroom social rented houses — last month.
Matthew Crucefix, Stonewater Assistant Director of Development (West), commented: “The scrapping of the Severn Bridge tolls at the end of this year is already putting pressure on house prices in Lydney and the Forest of Dean as people from Bristol and outside the community look to buy properties in the area.
“We hope these affordable Stonewater homes will help families and young people with a local connection stay here close to their family and friends. Housing schemes like this have a vital role to play in keeping local people who support local businesses and services in the community and our rural towns and villages vibrant and alive.”
Stonewater’s second phase of homes in Edwin Jones Way is a mixture of four two-, three- and four-bedroom houses for social rent, and eight two- and three-bedroom houses for low-cost shared ownership. The properties are due for completion in June 2020.
Stonewater, which is delivering the scheme in partnership with the Forest of Dean District Council and Redrow Homes, manages 213 homes across Gloucestershire.
Cllr Richard Leppington, Forest of Dean Cabinet Member for Development, Asset Management, Infrastructure and Housing, added: “It’s a known fact that there is a shortage of affordable housing in rural communities and house prices have risen at twice the national average over the past few years. Prices are set to rise further with the abolition of the Severn bridge tolls by the end of the year, meaning that many people will struggle to buy or rent a place of their own in the district.
“There are currently around 2,000 households on the housing waiting list in the Forest of Dean. This is why developments of affordable homes like Edwin Jones Way are so important. They enable a mix of people with a connection to the local area to remain in the district and this helps the local community to flourish.”
Pictured, from left to right, are: Jack Cross, Stonewater Development Officer; Matthew Crucefix, Stonewater Assistant Director of Development and Gareth Powell, Redrow Acting Site Manager.
