Work is now underway to deliver a high-quality affordable homes development at the former Wessex Water land in Lytchett Matravers, Dorset. Leading housing provider Stonewater and developer Drew Smith, part of Vistry Partnerships, have teamed up to construct the completely fossil-fuel-free scheme off Purbeck Road, which will bring a total of 25 new homes to the area.
The development, which is being built on surplus land formerly owned by Wessex Water, has been supported by Dorset Council, as well as funding from Homes England — as part of Stonewater’s strategic partnership with Guinness.
With many individuals and families across Dorset currently finding themselves priced out of areas like Lytchett Matravers, the development which will deliver only affordable homes aims to support the council with tackling local housing need, by providing more affordable options for local people.
Upon completion, the scheme will comprise of 16 homes for social rent, as well as nine for shared ownership. This includes one- and two-bedroom apartments — with access to communal green space — and a selection of two-, three- and four-bedroom houses, each with their own private garden.
In addition to providing ducting for electric car charging points, all the completed homes will benefit from low carbon heating in the form of air source heat pumps, offering cost savings and increased energy efficiency to customers.
Matt Crucefix, Director of Development (South and West) at Stonewater, said: “We are pleased to be working once again with Dorset Council and our partner Drew Smith to bring this development to life. Managing more than 2,000 homes across Dorset, Bournemouth and Poole, we understand the need for affordable housing in villages like Lytchett Matravers, so regeneration projects like Purbeck Road are a great example of how organisations can work together to alleviate demand, whilst supporting the local community.”
Stephen Clark, Head of Planning at Drew Smith, added: “We are delighted to have commenced development to facilitate the delivery of 25 high-quality, affordable homes in partnership with our trusted housing provider partner, Stonewater on this redundant part of the Wessex Water reservoir site in Lytchett Matravers. It is great to have made a start on these much-needed affordable homes for the local community and look forward to seeing construction on the site progress in 2022.”
Cllr Graham Carr-Jones, Dorset Council Portfolio Holder for Housing and community safety at Dorset Council, said: “We are working with partners to provide much needed affordable homes for Dorset people. This is the second development which Stonewater and Drew Smith have started this year and the variety of properties will be good for single people as well as families.”
