South Somerset Homes on site building over 100 new homes
5 January 2005

Local housing association, South Somerset Homes who announced in June 2004 that they are to build 2500 new affordable homes over the next ten years are now on site building the first 100 homes across South Somerset.

In Martock, in partnership with Bellway Homes, 39 homes are being developed with 12 being completed by the end of January. In Castle Cary they have been able to knock down 4 houses and replace them with 13 brand new homes, which will be completed in early March. In the Langport area they are building 16 homes and in Somerton 14. In Henstridge they will soon be building 19 new homes, making a total of 101 homes across South Somerset with many more starting in 2005.

The new homes will be a mixture of tenures, with some for rent; some part rent part buy and some for sale although all will be built to the same high standards. All homes will have double-glazing, central heating, landscaped front gardens and a small patio and shed in the rear garden as well as a parking space near to the property and generally more generous space standards than many new house builders.

Those tenants whose original homes had to be demolished will have a choice of kitchen and bathroom flooring, kitchen units and work tops plus a choice of paint finishes when they move into their new home.

For all of the schemes the company is working towards or has already achieved ‘Secure by design certification,' which is awarded following consultation with the Crime Prevention Officers. The criteria for this certification includes ensuring that all new developments are well lit, that car parking spaces are near to the property and that the development is open and accessible.

Geoff Atkinson, Chief Executive at South Somerset Homes said, ”Many local families face a double-whammy of high house prices and low paid jobs. High house price inflation has made the problem of getting a foot on the bottom rung of the property ladder more and more difficult. The knock on effect is that there is an emerging new generation who may never be able to buy their own home. But we are going to do something about that. We have the capacity and resources to provide a substantial programme of new affordable housing for local people for the long run. These 101 homes are just the start.”