SSH build in partnership with Connaught 14 new affordable homes in Curry Rivel
2 August 2006

South Somerset Homes are celebrating this week the completion of the second phase of the development at Chatham Place in Curry Rivel where £1.3m has been spent building 14 new affordable homes. The building of the new homes has been carried out by Connaught, South Somerset Homes’ partnering contractor. The new development known as Chatham Place is being renamed ‘Hartland Court’ in memory of Edgar and Marion Hartland who moved into one of the original houses built at Chatham Place back in 1948.

The homes have been built using cutting edge technology with the timber frame of the home (structural walls, roofing and flooring) being supplied by Space 4, while Connaught have completed all substructures, internal fitting out, external cladding and all external works, drainage and services.

Two old concrete houses and 11 garages were demolished and Phase 1 was built, which consisted of seven new affordable homes, which are a mixture of 2 and 3 bedroom houses with 2 of the 3 bedroom houses being built on 3 storeys. These houses have all been allocated to local people. In phase 2 six old concrete houses have been demolished, which have been replaced with a mixture of fourteen 2 and 3 bedroom homes and 1-bedroom apartments, which are being offered for rent.

Some of the houses have an en-suite bathroom with all of them having double-glazing, electric heating, a small patio and shed in the rear garden, as well as two parking spaces to the front and generally higher space standards than most house builders.

Hartland Court has been named after two residents Edgar and Marion Hartland who lived in one of the original houses built at Chatham Place in 1948. Edgar Hartland had lived in Curry Rivel all of his life before going away to war. Edgar and Marion met during the war and married in January 1943.

Marion who lived in Belfast had been told that her husband had been lost at sea when to her huge surprise a couple of months later Edgar arrived safely home. They moved to Curry Rivel after the war had ended and shortly after were offered 11 Chatham Place where three of their four children were born. In their memory South Somerset Homes have named Phase 2 ‘Hartland Court.’

Ann Burton and Lyn Light, daughters of Edgar and Marion Hartland attended the open morning to see the new houses.

Ann Burton said, “As a family we feel very honoured that South Somerset Homes have named this new development after our mum and dad. We are thrilled that by doing so their name with live on.”

Lyn Light added, “If mum and dad were alive today they would be so pleased and very proud.”

Pictured here (from left to right) are Lynn Light and Ann Burton (daughters of Edgar and Marion Hartland)

Sherilyn Carpenter, Housing Officer at South Somerset Homes said, “We are thrilled to be able to offer another 14 local families a brand new home at Hartland Court in Curry Rivel. We are also delighted to be renaming Chatham Place ‘Hartland Court’ as Mr and Mrs Hartland were such a lovely couple. As they had lived at Chatham Place for most of their lives we feel that it is very fitting that we name the development after them in their memory.”

Geoff Atkinson, Chief Executive at South Somerset Homes said, “We are here to meet the communities’ needs for quality affordable homes. The quality affordable homes that we have built in Curry Rivel have been given to families who come from Curry Rivel meaning that when we say local we really mean local.”

Mike Boon, Connaught’s Yeovil Contracts Manager said, “We are pleased to have completed a second phase of works at Chatham Place. This project has once again demonstrated the strength of partnership we have with South Somerset Homes. Our team have worked hard to provide high-quality, spacious homes, that should make a significant contribution to the well-being of tenants both now and in the future. ”

An open day was held at Hartland Court last week to celebrate the completion of this project. Many local and parish councillors, external agencies and residents attended.

Pictured here (from left to right) are Lynn Light (daughter of Edgar and Marion Hartland), Geoff Atkinson (Chief Executive, SSH), Sherilyn Carpenter (Housing Officer, SSH), Peter Lawrence (Project Director, Connaught) and Ann Burton (daughter of Edgar and Marion Hartland)