New Plymouth homes from Westward provide affordability, downsizing options and accessibility
Westward’s latest two housing developments for Plymouth will provide 18 affordable homes. Building work began recently with Homes England funding and recycled grant funding from Westward for both sites. All the homes are being constructed by local business and first-time partners for Westward, Classic Builders.
All properties on both sites will benefit from photovoltaic solar panels to assist with fast-rising energy costs and support environmental and sustainability strategies.
Two shared ownership and three affordable rent properties will be built at St Peter’s Close in Plympton, ready for occupancy next summer.
The two two-bed bungalows for shared ownership and three one-bed bungalows for social rent will be adaptable for accessibility, with one of the larger one-bed bungalows being already fully wheelchair accessible. The homes offer the opportunity to downsize for those who now need less bedroom space.
The land was owned by Plymouth City Council and sold to Westward at a discount for redevelopment to include accessible homes as a priority. The bungalows will also each have an electric vehicle charging point.
Westward’s Assistant Director of Development, Jon Mutter, said: “I am delighted that we are able to bring these new homes to Plymouth for those who need them to suit their range of needs. We are committed to making sure that more people in our region have a place that they can call home. We also like to make use of regeneration sites such as in this instance. This development is a further example of us working with local firm Classic Builders to build the houses on both sites, so we are not only providing affordable housing but also supporting employment in the city.”
Caption (l to r): Westward Chair Designate Robert Stronge in conversation with Plymouth City Councillor Chris Penberthy, Cabinet member for Housing, Cooperative Development and Communities
In addition, our regeneration site at Moses Close in Southway providing 13 much needed affordable homes. This will be welcomed by residents nearby as a restart on site following the delays caused by a previous contractor ceasing trading.
Plymouth City Councillor Chris Penberthy, Cabinet member for Housing, Cooperative Development and Communities, said: “I’m really pleased these schemes are progressing. The council is committed to working with partners to get good quality affordable housing built in Plymouth. I’d like to thank Westward Housing, Homes England and Classic Builders for the work they are doing to make that happen on these sites in Southway and Plympton. The council has been pleased to do our bit, and I’m looking forward to watching the schemes move forward and people moving into their new homes there next year.”
The 13 homes will be at social rent rates and provide an apartment block of six one-bed flats designed for couples including two ground floor accessible and adaptable homes. These are alongside a terrace of six two-bed houses designed for three people each, plus an end of terrace bungalow.
There is an Employment and Skills Plan for the site which means delivery of a certain number of training hours through the project – whether this be on-site construction worker hours, sub-contracting electricians, or design work in the office.
The Moses Close homes will feature private gardens and the flats also benefit from a shared communal garden in this established residential area. The parking area will include dedicated spaces for any accessibility needs. All this adds up to another great social housing project provided by Westward Housing Group.
The rental homes at both sites will be marketed on Devon Home Choice, available from Summer 2024. Shared ownership homes at St Peter’s Close will be sold through Westward.
Photo caption (l to r): X , X, Robert Stronge – Chair Designate at Westward, Barbara Shaw – Chief Executive at Westward, Chris Arkins St Peter’s Close Site Manager at Classic Builders, Graham Jones – Architect at Rogers and Jones, Jon Mutter – Assistant Director of Development at Westward, Councillor Chris Penberthy - Cabinet member for Housing, Cooperative Development and Communities, Plymouth City Council seated at the controls, Fred Bennetton - director at Classic Builders , Sam Gardiner – Engineer at Airey Coles, Paul Wong – Senior Design Manager at Classic Builders, Phil Jones site manager (Moses Close) at Classic Builders, Neil Mawson – Housing Delivery Manager at Plymouth City Council, X, Classic Builders.