We are showcasing an idyllic rural housing development on the edge of Exmoor as part of #RuralHousingWeek.
Barnes Close Mead in the parish town in Dulverton, West Somerset, is a new scheme which will provide 18 affordable homes – six for shared ownership, six for social rent and six for affordable rent.
Construction work is now back underway following lockdown and it is hoped the development will be completed in October.
Our Senior Development Manager, Sally Bryant, said: “‘We are delighted to be working with Woofenden Construction for the first time to deliver 18 high quality homes for Shared Ownership and Rent in the rural village of Dulverton.
“We are extremely pleased to be offering these beautifully presented homes to local people. This development will comprise of one, two and three-bedroom homes to accommodate a range of family sizes.
“A few features of this development include Air Source heating system, contemporary looking exterior all situated within a picturesque location, not far from the well-known Tarr steps.
“We are very much looking forward to seeing the scheme come together and we hope the residents moving into these properties will be extremely happy here.”
Air Source heat pumps are designed to draw air from outside and convert it into heat which transfers to radiators inside the property.
They are generally cheaper to run, better for the environment and do not need any fuel storage.
#RuralHousingWeek is organised by the National Housing Federation and highlights the contribution that housing associations, like LiveWest, make towards building more quality, affordable homes.
The week celebrates the work housing associations do in investing in rural communities, enhancing the local economy and helping to keep local services, such as shops and schools viable.
The development will benefit from grant-funding from government housing agency Homes England and LiveWest worked closely alongside Somerset West and Taunton Council (SWT) to develop the site.
Cllr Fran Smith, Executive Member for Housing at SWT, said: “Affordable housing is vital for the survival of our rural communities and forms a key part of our corporate strategy to increase the number of affordable and social homes in our urban towns, rural and coastal communities.
“This superb development will enable local people from Dulverton and surrounding villages to stay in the area in well-built and economical properties that will remain affordable for local people into the future.
“I congratulate LiveWest and Exmoor National Park on this successful development and encourage local people to register with the Homefinder Somerset so they can bid for these properties once they are completed www.homefindersomerset.co.uk/
Joe White, Principle Planning Officer for Exmoor National Park Authority, said: “We know local people can struggle to get a foot on the housing ladder on Exmoor due to the generally higher cost of real estate in National Parks.
“Barnes Close Mead is a prime example of how we’re working to address that need through local planning policies that include a portion of affordable housing ringfenced for local people, alongside the added flexibility to either rent or buy under shared ownership schemes.
“By working closely with local housing authorities such as Live West, as well as private developers and individuals looking to self-build, these policies have helped over 200 people to live locally in nearly 100 high-quality homes that are not only affordable, but befitting of the beautiful landscape of the National Park.”
David Coombes, Operations Manager for Woofenden Construction, said: “As a family run business based in a small rural village, we understand the importance of providing both affordable and quality accommodation for families.
“We are delighted to have had the opportunity to work with LiveWest to deliver a project of this nature.
“The idea of providing quality, sustainable & affordable housing in areas such as Dulverton is an excellent example of what can be achieved.
“Working on the edge of the Exmoor National Park has been a tremendous pleasure and I hope the new residents appreciate the beautiful surrounds as much as we did.”