Considerable progress made to realise council's ambition for 1,000 new affordable homes

Wiltshire Council has made significant progress towards its target for 1,000 new affordable homes across the county.

This ambition commenced in 2020 and has already seen 173 affordable homes delivered with a further 40 in development and 533 in the pipeline.

Prior to setting its 1,000 homes target as part of the council house build programme, the council already had a good track record of delivering affordable homes. In 2017/18, 63 new affordable homes were delivered, followed by 95 in 2018/19, 19 in 2019/20 and 23 in 2020/21. The new programme aimed to increase the scale of delivery by increasing investment and utilising a range of delivery methods.

The council is investing in this multi-million-pound programme and utilising Section 106, Right to Buy, developer contributions and Homes England funding to build the new, energy efficient council homes. The ambitious target is being delivered using a range of construction methods, purchase agreements, regenerations and acquisitions.

Several developments comprise Modern Methods of Construction (MMC) properties which are built offsite to exact specifications and then delivered to site and lowered into place by crane. The precision engineering of these homes improves the build quality and energy efficiency. In May 2024, the council utilised a modest plot of council land to install its first MMC bungalow. There are now 19 MMC properties either built or in development on-site, with a further 85 in the construction pipeline.

In October 2024, the council completed its first purchase agreement for 18 two and three-bedroom ex-Army homes in Devizes which are currently being refurbished and made more energy efficient prior to occupation.

Cllr Phil Alford, Wiltshire Council Cabinet Member for Housing, said: "We've made significant progress towards our ambition for 1,000 new affordable homes by utilising a range of delivery methods to provide high quality developments that address specific housing need within communities.

"As well as being affordable to rent, the new homes will be affordable to heat with most homes achieving an energy performance rating of B. Energy efficiency is at the forefront of the programme as it will reduce running costs for residents and particularly benefit those on low incomes or state pension. We are also making a substantial investment to improve existing council homes so they achieve a minimum energy performance rating of B.

"Affordable housing is a key aim of our Business Plan and the developments we've brought forward, with more to come, are a clear example of our commitment to provide the housing that people need."