NEARLY 70 new ‘affordable’ homes have been delivered in West Somerset thanks to a working relationship between Magna Housing, Countryside Partnerships, and Somerset Council.
The Orchard Brooks estate in Williton comprises a mix of timber-frame homes ranging from one-bedroom flats to four-bedroom family homes,.
Sixty of the 67 properties built by Countryside Partnerships, part of the Vistry group, are now occupied.
Magna has also completed the purchase of seven more homes, including three bungalows offering level ground floor access with the ability to be converted for people with health and care needs.
It means Magna has been able to offer nearly three-quarters of the whole 90-home development as ‘affordable’ homes for both social rent and shared ownership.
The housing association has helped people such as Ollie and Kyela Armitage to make a home in the area and put a foot on the housing ladder by buying a shared ownership home with Magna.
Mr Armitage said: “I had been renting for five years and the only way to get on the ladder was through shared ownership, especially in West Somerset.
“It is a new-build, so you have everything you need.
“Work is just round the corner, so I do not have to do a massive commute, and my wife has just got a job up the road.
“Our next step would be to buy more of the property and try to own it before moving on.
“I sit in my garden and think, ‘wow’, it is massive for a new-build.
“My wife and I feel proud and grateful for what we have got.”
Magna’s share of Orchard Brooks was delivered through three separate contracts, which included:
Thirty-two homes provided through the Section 106 planning agreement with the developer to provide at least 35 per cent affordable homes
Twenty-eight homes funded by a grant from Homes England’s Affordable Homes Programme, Magna’s strategic partnership with other housing associations, and a financial contribution by Somerset Council
Seven homes (three three-bed bungalows and three four-bed houses) purchased by Magna from Countryside Partnerships, which also have local authority funding to support the provision of larger homes in the area
Of these, 36 have already been let and 24 sold as shared ownership homes.
Somerset executive Cllr Federica Smith-Roberts said: “These are the first affordable homes to be delivered in Williton since 2015 and have provided much-needed affordable housing for the local community including the opportunity to get on the housing ladder through shared ownership, which may otherwise be unaffordable.
“Somerset Council is committed to working with parish and town councils, and housing associations to increase the number of affordable homes in our area, making a real difference to the quality of life for some of our eligible residents, while supporting the creation of sustainable communities.”
Magna director of sustainability and investment Paul Read said: “It has been fantastic to work in partnership with the developer and the council to provide a significant number of affordable new homes to meet the local need.
“And it is even better to see people moving in and building lives and a community at Orchard Brooks.
“This scheme continued to be developed through the pandemic and overcame huge challenges, such as labour and material shortages, to provide affordable homes when they are needed most during a cost-of-living crisis.”
Countryside Partnership South West managing director Peter Sadler said: “Working in partnership with Magna and Somerset Council we have been able to successfully deliver sustainable homes, a new community and social value, leaving a lasting legacy of places people love.
“This vibrant new community in Williton is a great example of partnership working at its finest, showcasing a mix of tenures making home ownership an opportunity for all.
“Seeing the happy new home-owners now living at Orchard Brooks is a great achievement.”