ORCHARD HOMES KEEP CENTURIES OLD LINK ALIVE
17/12/2007
George Jordan sold part of a plot of land known locally as Jordan’s Orchard to Warwickshire Rural Housing Association with the condition that the site retains its name.
And Mr Jordan was among the guests to attend the official opening of the new scheme.
“I am really pleased with the development,” said Mr Jordan, “The first Jordan came to live in Little Compton in 1673 and my father bought this land in the 1950s. He kept hens, pigs and rabbits here and at one time he grew potatoes.
“I think he would be really impressed if he had seen these homes.”
Mr Jordan’s father Alfred, who died in 1988, was the last of the family to actually live in the village but Mr Jordan still has close links to Little Compton.
“Using the site to provide affordable homes has given something to the village and has kept the Jordan link going,” said Mr Jordan.
The official opening ceremony was conducted by Stratford on Avon MP John Maples who praised the work of Warwickshire Rural Housing Association in meeting the affordable housing needs of village communities.
“In the lifetimes of most of us and certainly in the last 50 years, village life has significantly altered,” said Mr Maples, explaining that escalating house prices often forced people who had grown up in a village to move away when they came to look for their first property.
He added that villages need a mix of people of all ages and backgrounds if they were to remain vibrant and sustainable.
Matthew Dick, chairman of Warwickshire Rural, went on to praise the partners involved in the development including Stratford District Council, Bromford Housing Group and the parish council.
The opening event also included a speech by Little Compton Parish Council’s Chairman Matthew Gillett who outlined the history of the development.
The parish council and Warwickshire Rural Housing Association had first considered an affordable housing scheme five years ago when they conducted a housing needs survey to assess villagers’ views.
Among the new residents are Stephen and Adele Wyatt. Stephen grew up in the village and his parents still live there. Similarly teacher Clare Hall, who has been living in Surrey, was raised in the village and has returned to be closer to her parents who have also remained in Little Compton.
“I couldn’t afford to buy a property here,” explained Clare, “But this scheme has allowed me to be closer to my parents. It’s lovely to come back.”
Warwickshire Rural Housing Association specialises in meeting the housing needs of rural communities.
The new housing scheme provides two, two bedroomed houses, one, three bedroomed house and one two bedroomed bungalow.
All the homes, which were built by A. C. Lloyd, were available at affordable rents to people with close links to the village either through their family or their work.