The national housing and regeneration agency has agreed to support the development of around 90 new affordable homes in Kinterbury Square and Foulston Avenue. The project will be delivered by Devon and Cornwall Housing Association (DCHA) and is regarded as a priority area in the continuing regeneration of the city.
The development – a mixture of two, three and four bedroomed houses – will meet the Lifetime Homes Standard and be built to Level 4 of the Code for Sustainable Homes. This higher Level 4 standard will help reduce carbon emissions from the homes by more than 40% when compared to traditionally built houses.
The HCA’s announcement follows its investment of around £8m in a major housing and regeneration project at Millbay and major investment in improving social housing across the city.
Colin Molton, regional director at the HCA, said: “This is an important development for us, as the regeneration of Plymouth is critical to the South West.
“Today’s announcement demonstrates our commitment to providing new and affordable homes for communities that need them.
“It is not just good news for the people who will benefit from the new housing, but it is good news for local community and the city as a whole. We look forward to seeing the homes completed, and the area improved.”
The new homes will form a part of a larger development of up to 107 houses. The HCA-funded homes will be available as a mixture of social rent and the shared ownership scheme New Build HomeBuy. The homes for sale will be provided through a joint venture with Midas Homes and Westco Properties.
Bob Bremner, head of Development Plymouth at DCHA said:“We are delighted that this scheme has been supported by the Homes and Communities Agency.
“This project when complete will provide a real boost for the area. Working with the city council and all our partners and local people, we will ensure that this investment delivers homes that local people can be proud of.”
Plymouth City Council's cabinet member for planning, strategic housing and economic regeneration Ted Fry said: "This is excellent news for Plymouth and shows the city is still very much open for business despite the economic downturn. Against all the odds our ambitious affordable home building programme is still very much on the move."
This Barne Barton scheme forms part of a wider affordable housing programme, involving £1.7 million worth of land and funding from Plymouth City Council, which will enable the ambitious redevelopment of North Prospect to go ahead. Some of the new Barne Barton homes will be made available to North Prospect residents.
Construction will begin immediately, with all projects expected to be complete in March 2012.
HCA’s £4.997m investment has been made through the National Affordable Housing Programme, set up to deliver new affordable homes across England.
