New housing site has life-saving equipment installed for the community

Potentially life-saving equipment has been installed at a new rural housing site in Upavon helping to keep the local community safe.

A defibrillator has been installed at the Whistedown Farm housing site in Upavon, thanks to partnership working between Wiltshire Council, Upavon Parish Council and Redcliffe Homes.

The site has 18 affordable homes which were built as part of Wiltshire Council's drive to provide 1,000 affordable homes over a 10-year period. Due to its rural location, the councils and Redcliffe Homes have worked together to support the community by arranging the installation of the defibrillator.

Cllr Phil Alford, Wiltshire Council Cabinet Member for Housing, said: "Our housing programme isn't just about creating bricks and mortar, it's also about creating and supporting communities. We're really pleased to have worked with both Upavon Parish Council and Redcliffe Homes to install this equipment. We of course hope it never has reason to be used, but it should provide some peace of mind to residents, particularly given the rural location in which they live."

Charles Leigh-Bennett, Upavon Parish Council, said: "This welcome addition to our stock of public defibrillators (five in all) makes Upavon not only the fastest growing village in the Pewsey Vale, but also one of the safest."

Jon Burcombe, Development Director at Redcliffe Homes added: "We are delighted to have supported the community at our Whistledown View development in Upavon by contributing to the installation of the new defibrillator. We look forward to working with Wiltshire Council again on future developments, to create and support further communities''.

A key mission of Wiltshire Council's Business Plan is that the county is a place where 'we have the right housing'.