RESIDENTS MOVE INTO AFFORDABLE HOMES IN PRIORS MARSTON
24/04/2008
Residents have started moving into the four rented and four shared ownership homes at Bradshaw Close which were developed by
Warwickshire Rural Housing Association thanks to a partnership with the village’s parish council and the backing of Stratford District Council.
Yvonne Knight, her husband Graham and children Harry, aged 10 years, and Charlie (4) are delighted with their new home.
“Four generations of my family have lived in the village and with house prices so high here there’s no way we could have afforded a house like this in the village I grew up in,” said Yvonne.
“Living here my children can go to the local school and it’s also handy for my husband who works as a farm labourer nearby. It’s a beautiful house in a beautiful location and we are delighted to be here.”
The Knights live in one of the three bedroom houses at the scheme which also includes two bedroom homes and a bungalow. Some are rented and some have been bought through the Government’s Homebuy part-rent part-buy initiative.
The district council approved the scheme in accordance with a planning policy which allows affordable housing schemes to be built in smaller villages such as Priors Marston where an unmet housing need has been demonstrated.
Warwickshire Rural Housing Association first started working with the parish council around five years ago when asked to carry out a housing needs survey in the village.
“This scheme is a prime example of how Warwickshire Rural Housing Association works with communities to help meet the housing needs of rural communities,” explains Matthew Dick, chairman of the housing association.
“Rising house prices and the lack of affordable rented accommodation are forcing more and more young people and those on moderate incomes out of the villages where they have grown up or work.
“However, these villages need a mix of people of all ages and backgrounds if they are to remain vibrant and sustainable.”
The new homes were built by A. C. Lloyd on a site off Southam Road once owned by a Thomas Bradshaw in the 18th century. Mr Bradshaw has already proved to be a village benefactor as the Kay and Bradshaw Education Foundation gives grants to village people under the age of 25 so that they can buy books and equipment linked to their training.
In more recent years, the land has been owned by the Taylor family and during the 1940s it was a smallholding owned by the Smiths.
With an eye to sustainability, the new homes are energy efficient and have gained a rating of ‘Very Good’ under the Government’s approved EcoHomes sustainability ratings system.