Three new affordable housing developments make good progress

Three new affordable housing developments are progressing well as part of the council's drive to create 1,000 new affordable homes.

The three developments are situated at Brickley Lane and Drakes Avenue, Devizes, Rowden Park, Chippenham and Rowde near Devizes.

The Devizes homes utilise two ex-MOD housing sites in a first of its kind purchase agreement between Annington Homes and Wiltshire Council. The two sites comprise 16 three and four-bedroom homes. The homes were formerly leased to Armed Forces families and will add much needed capacity to the council's housing rented stock in the area.

The Rowden Park development is the acquisition of Section 106 affordable homes, offering nine affordable rent properties and four shared ownership properties. The homes feature carbon reducing features such as air source heat pumps and electric vehicle charging points. The properties are well-designed to meet Nationally Described Space Standards and will help alleviate the housing shortage in Chippenham for rented and shared ownership properties.

The Rowde development consists of 10 new homes which are a mixture of bungalows, flats and houses. Four will be shared ownership and six will be social rent. These Modern Methods of Construction (MMC) homes are built in a factory, delivered by road and then craned onto site. Most of the kitchen, bathroom and heating system is installed in quality-controlled conditions which means it is constructed to a high standard with minimum waste and time saved during construction. All the properties are highly insulated and draught proof to improve energy efficiency. They are designed to be zero carbon in use.

Cllr Phil Alford, Wiltshire Council Cabinet Member for Housing, said: "These affordable homes are a mix of new energy efficient properties, existing unused housing and modern methods of construction properties designed to be zero carbon in use. They will be available as social and affordable rent and shared ownership housing, demonstrating our innovative approach to provide affordable housing for Wiltshire residents who need it as part of our wider vision for 1,000 affordable homes across the county.

"We have now delivered 12 low or zero carbon affordable homes, with another 368 in the pipeline as part of our council house build programme which will see over £190million invested in building new, energy efficient council homes. We are also making a substantial investment in improving existing council homes to ensure they achieve a minimum energy performance rating of B.

"Affordable housing is a key aim of our business plan, and these schemes are a clear example of significant progress we're making to deliver the housing that people need."

Redcliffe Homes is developing the properties at Rowden Park. Jon Burcombe, Development Director, Redcliffe Homes, said: "Redcliffe Homes are delighted to be working with Wiltshire Council for a third time delivering quality affordable homes in Wiltshire. This is the latest phase of Rowden Park Garden Village, featuring a new collection of individually designed two, three and four-bedroom homes. Affordable housing is integral to creating healthy, and vibrant communities."

Rollalong is developing the properties at Rowde. Abi Parsons, Business Development Manager, Rollalong, said: "The new development will complement the existing properties at Reed Place, with façades in red brick-slips and brown roof tiles in keeping with the surroundings. Bird and bat boxes will be installed on every house to promote environmental diversity and sustainability, and electric vehicle chargers will encourage the use of electric vehicles. Additionally, photovoltaic panels will be installed on roofs, offering energy savings and much lower bills for the residents."

Wiltshire Council purchased the properties at Brickley Lane and Drakes Avenue, Devizes from Annington Homes. Louise Saunders, Head of Sales and Marketing, Annington Homes, said: "Wiltshire Council recently undertook major refurbishments to two bulk purchases of ex-MOD-leased homes in Devizes from Annington Property Limited. We look forward to working together in the near future on potential disposals of stock - a partnership that will help the council achieve its aspirations of 1,000 new homes, re-using and modernising existing units."