An affordable housing development in Dulverton has been completed and residents have started to move into their new homes.
Barnes Close Mead is a new scheme which will provide 18 affordable homes – six for shared ownership, six for social rent and six for affordable rent. A number have a local occupancy tie, meaning they must be lived in by someone with links to the area.
We have teamed up with Woofenden Construction to deliver the homes.
Sally Bryant, our Senior Development Manager, said: “‘We are delighted to have worked with Woofenden Construction for the first time to deliver 18 high quality homes for Shared Ownership and Rent in the rural parish of Dulverton.
“We are extremely pleased to have offered these beautifully presented homes to local people. This development comprises 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 scenic location, not far from Tarr Steps in Exmoor National Park.
“It has been great to see this stunning 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.
The development benefitted from grant-funding from government housing agency Homes England and we worked closely alongside Somerset West and Taunton Council (SWT) and Exmoor National Park Authority to develop the site and support those applying for a home under the National Park’s local occupancy tie policy.
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 has enabled local people from Dulverton and surrounding villages to stay in the area in well-built and economical properties that will remain affordable into the future.
“I congratulate LiveWest and Exmoor National Park on this successful development.”
Steven Pugsley, Chair of Planning at Exmoor National Park Authority, said: “Congratulations to the occupants of these new homes, who we hope will find much happiness in being able to stay living locally in one of the country’s finest rural landscapes.
“The generally higher cost of housing in national parks can put a squeeze on people being able to live near work and family. To help, our planning policies are geared to ensure new affordable housing is built where we know the need is greatest, with an appropriate amount ringfenced for local people.
“Thanks to grant funding from Somerset West and Taunton Council, we’re also fortunate to now have a dedicated rural housing enabler working in the Somerset part of the National Park to achieve a pipeline of new affordable homes and support custom and self-builders locally.
“We hope this will lead to more successful partnerships like this one with Live West and Somerset West and Taunton, to help deliver quality, affordable homes exactly where they are needed.”
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 in Exmoor National Park has been a tremendous pleasure and I hope the new residents appreciate the beautiful surrounds as much as we did.”