SOMERSET COUNCIL AND STRONGVOX SIGN CONTRACT FOR AFFORDABLE NEW HOMES IN NETHER STOWEY

The contract was signed at a ceremony hosted by Strongvox and attended by Bill Revans, Leader of Somerset Council and members of Nether Stowey Parish Council.

“John Roberts, Chairman of Nether Stowey Parish Councils said: ‘We are delighted that the contract for these affordable homes has now been completed and the homes will be available to the community. The Parish Council were determined that the village should have these homes, and all our hard work and persistence have been rewarded.’”

The first four houses will be available in the next few weeks, and priority will be given to those with a close connection to Nether Stowey. Details of how to apply are available here.

Strongvox Homes released the following Press Statement:

SOMERSET COUNCIL AND STRONGVOX PARTNER ON AFFORDABLE NEW HOMES IN NETHER STOWEY
Strongvox Homes are delighted to be partnering with Somerset Council to provide 16 much needed affordable new homes at the Cricketer Farm development, in the idyllic village of Nether Stowey.

Whilst there have been reports that there would be no affordable housing at Cricketer Farm, both Strongvox and Somerset Council have worked hard together behind the scenes to make these affordable homes available. Eligible local people with a connection to Nether Stowey will have the highest priority for the new homes, which will all have either two or three bedrooms.

There are also some other benefits to the wider local community, including a £1.3 million upgrade to the A39 as it passes through Nether Stowey, funded by Strongvox, which was historically an accident blackspot. There is also a corresponding lowering of the speed limit and a signal-controlled junction with a pedestrian crossing which now links the rest of the village with the church, as well as the new homes.

Believed to be the first transaction of its type achieved under the new unitary Somerset Council, an event was held on site at Cricketer Farm on Friday April 24th, to celebrate this milestone for the local community. Leader of the new Somerset Council, Councillor Bill Revans said: “We are delighted that with funding from Homes England and the EDF Housing Mitigation Fund, Somerset Council has been able to secure 16 affordable homes in a rural location with local people having the highest priority. Whilst affordable housing at Cricketer Farm was initially deemed to be unviable financially, it’s great that all parties have come together to make this happen, with Strongvox selling the homes to the Council at a price which was viable.”

Duncan Harvey, Development Manager at Homes in Sedgemoor, said: “We’re delighted to mark this event seeing the handover of these 16 new homes. We worked hard with Strongvox and we trusted one another to deliver our promise to bring new affordable homes to Nether Stowey. Homes in Sedgemoor are looking forward to managing these homes and building a strong relationship with the local community”.

Managing Director at Strongvox, Toby Ballard, added: “We’re really pleased that these affordable homes will be going to eligible local people who need them the most. Whilst Strongvox has seen a lot of adverse comment about its commitment to providing affordable housing at Cricketer Farm, with Somerset Council’s help, we have been able to stick to our original plan to provide 16 affordable new homes in a fantastic village location, in addition to significant road works to improve pedestrian safety already provided by Strongvox.”

For more information on Strongvox Homes visit www.strongvox.co.uk or call 01823 444055.