New affordable Housing which is helping people to stay connected with the village they grew up in has been officially unveiled (Friday 11 June) by new Member of Parliament for West Suffolk, Matthew Hancock.
The ten affordable homes were built in the village of West Row near Mildenhall after Mildenhall Parish Council conducted a housing needs survey in conjunction with Forest Heath District Council, who both see the need for local people to be able to remain within their communities in housing they can afford.
The Parish Council commissioned landlord Havebury Housing Partnership to manage the development of the new homes and to ensure that they would be let to people in housing need with a connection to the local area, for example with local family or work ties.
A grant from the Government’s Housing Corporation of £795,000 was secured and the total cost was £1.2 million.
Matthew Hancock, Member of Parliament for West Suffolk, said: "I'm delighted to be opening these new homes at Cornflower Close in West Row. This sort of high quality, Affordable Housing, in keeping with the existing village, is exactly what we need in West Suffolk. It has been welcomed by the Parish Council, and will play an important part in making sure that good local housing is available for local people."
One of the new tenants of the homes in Cornflower Close is David Clarke, who has lived all his life in the area said: “This is like coming home for me, it means so much. The house is lovely and I have my daughter and grandson close by in the village to help me.”
Karen Mayhew, Chief Executive, Havebury Housing Partnership, said: “We were delighted to work with Forest Heath District Council and the Parish Council to provide these new homes which are helping to make a real difference to the lives of the new tenants.”
Marion Fairman-Smith, Member Champion for Housing, Forest Heath District Council, said: “This is a very welcome development for Forest Heath. As a rural authority it is vital that we can assist in the development of rural housing to allow people to stay in their communities. We are working with other parishes to help develop more rural housing schemes.”
Councillor David Ward from Mildenhall Parish Council, said: “Mildenhall Parish Council have been pleased to be involved in helping to establish this affordable housing which has enabled local residents to remain close to their families.”
The ten two-bedroom houses, which have been let at £85.85 per week, benefit from solar water heating, high levels (400mm) of roof insulation and other environmental features. Planning permission was granted for the project as an ‘exception’ site, built outside the village boundary, and the land was identified and purchased through Circle Anglia. Building contractor was Lovell.
Guests at the event included the new residents and members of Mildenhall Parish Council. After a tree planting and a look round the new homes guests enjoyed refreshments at West Row Village Hall.
The ten affordable homes were built in the village of West Row near Mildenhall after Mildenhall Parish Council conducted a housing needs survey in conjunction with Forest Heath District Council, who both see the need for local people to be able to remain within their communities in housing they can afford.
The Parish Council commissioned landlord Havebury Housing Partnership to manage the development of the new homes and to ensure that they would be let to people in housing need with a connection to the local area, for example with local family or work ties.
A grant from the Government’s Housing Corporation of £795,000 was secured and the total cost was £1.2 million.
Matthew Hancock, Member of Parliament for West Suffolk, said: "I'm delighted to be opening these new homes at Cornflower Close in West Row. This sort of high quality, Affordable Housing, in keeping with the existing village, is exactly what we need in West Suffolk. It has been welcomed by the Parish Council, and will play an important part in making sure that good local housing is available for local people."
One of the new tenants of the homes in Cornflower Close is David Clarke, who has lived all his life in the area said: “This is like coming home for me, it means so much. The house is lovely and I have my daughter and grandson close by in the village to help me.”
Karen Mayhew, Chief Executive, Havebury Housing Partnership, said: “We were delighted to work with Forest Heath District Council and the Parish Council to provide these new homes which are helping to make a real difference to the lives of the new tenants.”
Marion Fairman-Smith, Member Champion for Housing, Forest Heath District Council, said: “This is a very welcome development for Forest Heath. As a rural authority it is vital that we can assist in the development of rural housing to allow people to stay in their communities. We are working with other parishes to help develop more rural housing schemes.”
Councillor David Ward from Mildenhall Parish Council, said: “Mildenhall Parish Council have been pleased to be involved in helping to establish this affordable housing which has enabled local residents to remain close to their families.”
The ten two-bedroom houses, which have been let at £85.85 per week, benefit from solar water heating, high levels (400mm) of roof insulation and other environmental features. Planning permission was granted for the project as an ‘exception’ site, built outside the village boundary, and the land was identified and purchased through Circle Anglia. Building contractor was Lovell.
Guests at the event included the new residents and members of Mildenhall Parish Council. After a tree planting and a look round the new homes guests enjoyed refreshments at West Row Village Hall.
