A family in Cornwall have been able to find a much-needed bigger home in time for Christmas with new affordable homes.

Danielle, and her partner, Tristan previously lived in a two-bedroom period cottage with their two children. 

When their son Henley now 8, was diagnosed with autism and a non-verbal sensory processing disorder the family needed more space and specialist equipment that the cottage couldn’t accommodate.

Through our new development at Gwel Woon in Troon, delivered in partnership with Gilbert and Goode and supported by Homes England funding, the family secured a three-bedroom home. 

The scheme provides 30 socially rented properties, designed to help local people access affordable housing.

Danielle Mitchell said: “We couldn’t put up an indoor swinger, the structure just wouldn’t hold it. We also just didn’t have the space for it.

“So, we thought we will try social housing and give that a go, but we had never looked into it before.

With the arrival of their daughter Jessie in January 2024, space became even more limited, and the family decided to apply for a larger home. 

They needed to remain close to Falmouth and Penryn for Henley’s specialist school along with their wider family and local activities like swimming lessons.

Danielle said: “We just kept bidding on homes we thought would be suitable. It was about a year to a year and a half and we were getting no luck with it. In Cornwall, it’s quite difficult to get a home and there isn’t a lot of space to build new homes. 

“We were absolutely gutted because we were so close. We just really needed somewhere because of the previous property being the way it was.”

Just weeks later, Danielle got an unexpected call from us offering her a house at the development. 

Danielle said: “I had a call followed by an email offering it to us. I called straight back and said we will have it! I called my mum telling her ‘Oh my gosh, we’ve just got offered a house’. It’s actually happened, I just couldn’t believe it. 

“Our son is much happier here, he sleeps better and we eat at a table in the kitchen, so it flows a lot better. The kids love the garden too.  

“It's made the structure of the kid's days easier because I can park outside your house, you’ve got the field next door, and everything is safer. 

Danielle appreciates the energy efficiency of the homes and enjoys knowing other people on the estate.

Danielle added: “The process with LiveWest has been pretty simple. We met the Housing Officer, and he was absolutely lovely. He told us what we needed to know.

“If you’re in private renting like we were, the prices go up. But the homes here have solar panels, so your bills aren’t extortionate, so it makes such a difference.”