A new community of affordable homes in Gulval, near Penzance, is already making a life-changing difference for local people. One couple has spoken about how moving into a brand-new LiveWest home has brought them stability, comfort and peace of mind.

For Andy and Vern, the move couldn’t have come at a more important time. After facing uncertainty in their previous home, they were left searching for somewhere safe and secure to live.

“When I was told the home was ours, I just couldn’t believe it,” Vern said. “I was shaking."

“I said, ‘I can’t believe it babe, we’ve got a place’ and he said ‘yeah, we’ve got a place’. As soon as we moved in that was it. It still hasn’t sunk in properly.

“I still can’t believe it... we’re not in a place that had no heating for him anymore because it wasn’t fair on him. 

“As soon as we were offered this place and signed the tenancy, it lifted off of our shoulders.”

The couple also spoke warmly about the support they received from LiveWest throughout their journey and reflects on how we’ve supported them to secure a home that meets their needs.

They said: “If it wasn’t for LiveWest helping us, we wouldn’t have got anywhere would we.

“We got that phone call and then a few days later, you (Vern) came down here to look, didn’t you? Then I had to do the viewing and then we said yes. Within a few days, we’d signed the paperwork and we got it.”

Andy added: “LiveWest have done more than we expected. We weren’t expecting a brand-new place, we were expecting some old flat somewhere else but having a new property, it was a shock to us, but it was amazing.

“The financial cost has lifted off us as well.... LiveWest has done what they said they’d do on the tin.”

The development at Foxes Field has delivered 79 much-needed affordable homes for Cornwall, including 23 for social rent, 27 for affordable rent and 29 shared ownership homes.

The homes are also highly energy-efficient to help residents heat their homes efficiently and at a lower cost with solar panels, air source heat pumps, electrical car chargers and high-grade insulation.

Supported by Homes England strategic partnership funding, the new homes are helping address local housing need in the area.