More than 2,000 affordable homes have been delivered across Somerset over the past three years, thanks to Somerset Council.

The Housing Enabling team have been working closely with a range of affordable housing delivery partners to provide new, high quality, energy efficient homes that locals can afford.

The Council understands that affordable housing must meet a range of needs and work is taking place to increase the provision for larger homes, fully adapted wheelchair accessible homes and is working in partnership within parishes to satisfy identified housing need.

Development highlights include:

• Cornhill, Wellington – a development of 26 homes for rent and 16 for shared ownership by LiveWest on a brownfield site within the centre of the town. The 42-home development included the repair and conversion of a listed building.
• Rainbow Way, Minehead – works have started to deliver the Council’s first scheme of 54 net zero carbon affordable homes for rent. It includes a broad range of housing types, including fully adapted wheelchair homes and bungalows.
• Neat Lane, Pilton – a development of 20 affordable high-quality homes has been completed, all for social rent and for local people in the village of Pilton. This second phase rural development is situated next to an existing rural exceptions site on land gifted by Michael Eavis, but now transferred to the housing provider, Guinness Partnership. The scheme consists of 8 x 1 bed flats, 6 x 2 bed houses, 4 x 3 bed houses and 2 x 2 bed bungalows, with the latter designed for older people.

Cllr Federica Smith-Roberts, Lead Member for Communities, Housing and Culture, said:

“We’re pleased that over 2,000 affordable homes have been delivered thanks to the help of our dedicated housing teams.

“We are acutely aware of the desperate need for affordable housing in Somerset and we are working with many delivery partners to ensure this provision increases.

“Ensuring homes are not only affordable but fit for purpose is an important part of this scheme and having homes built with accessible facilities will help our communities live more comfortably and safely.”

Cllr Ros Wyke, Lead Member for Economy, Planning and Assets, said:

“Building over 2,000 affordable homes is a great achievement, especially as housing in many parts of Somerset is constrained by the Phosphates issues.

“We recognise the real ongoing need for affordable housing, including social housing, and it is a major planning consideration and requirement of the inherited District Local Plans.

“We’re working closely with developers to ensure their developments include housing that is affordable to rent and purchase so local people can stay in Somerset and make a life here.”

New homes are being built across Somerset and will be available to rent or buy through low-cost homeownership. Details on these affordable homes are available on the Homefinder Somerset website here: www.homefindersomerset.co.uk/choice.