Plymouth says ‘yes to homes’ as work starts on Council land
Building work is set to start on one of the Council-owned sites set aside for desperately-needed homes.
The former Astor Centre development at Dartmoor View, Mount Gould is the first site to see construction begin as part of the Council’s Get Plymouth Building and Plan for Homes initiatives.
The initiatives aim to bring forward more home building in the city at a time when the city faces a chronic shortage of affordable homes.
The proposed development, designed by AJM Building Design Ltd, will provide 12, one and two-bedroom affordable homes which will be managed by Astor Communities Housing Association. They will be delivered by local development company Aster Homes and managed by its sister company Aster Communities.
The development will be built by contractors Oakley Builders, who estimate the contract will mean work for 40 people.
Councillor Mark Lowry, Cabinet member for Finance, whose portfolio includes housing delivery, said: “This is a great day for us and a great day for families who have been waiting – some times for years – for a home they can call their own.
“There are 10,000 people on the housing waiting list; the cost of living continues to go up, while wages remain the same. It’s incredibly difficult for people to get on the housing ladder and find good quality homes to rent or buy.
“We can’t just let this be other people’s problem. If we want to be a brilliant co-operative council, we need to take the initiative, which is why we have put up our land for homes to be built. I released this site in February 2013 and in that time we have worked in partnership with AJM to design a scheme, consult the community, get planning permission, transfer the land, and let the build contracts - all within 12 months.
Ward councillor, Mary Aspinall added: "Creating homes is a complex mixture of satisfying a desperate need, but also bearing in mind the views of local people as well as working positively with developers. This positive, proactive planning approach shows we can achieve the right balance and provide the homes we desperately need."
About the development:
- Housing mix: the smaller affordable homes could allow people currently under-occupying larger properties, to move into smaller homes which better match their housing needs. This will increase the housing options available for relocation due to welfare reform – bedroom tax – and could potentially free up larger homes for families on the housing waiting list.
- Local lettings: as a condition for releasing its land for housing development, the Council asked for local lettings assessment to be part of the allocations as well as housing need
- Code for Sustainable Homes – Level 5: the development will be a high specification eco build, which will be help reduce fuel bills
- Disabled housing and Lifetime homes: The scheme includes one unit designed to a higher specification for people with disabilities. This includes wider wheelchair access, specially equipped bathroom etc. All the homes will be built to lifetime homes standard, making them more adaptable for people with disabilities.
The development is on the site of a former community centre which was shut a number of years ago. The building was demolished. As part of the building programme, an existing basketball court will be moved several metres east. Nearby football posted will also be moved, footpaths repaired and benches provided.
David Luke, Aster Homes regional development director, said: “We’re delighted to be working with Plymouth City Council and Oakley Builders on this exciting project which will revitalise a site that’s been disused for some time.
“We have considerable experience of delivering high-quality new affordable homes to suit customers with a diverse range of needs and requirements. We’re very pleased to be bringing all that expertise to this project."
