Plans for first site under 'Get Plymouth Building' scheme unveiled

Plans for the first of ten sites to be developed as part of Plymouth City Council’s ‘Get Plymouth Building’ scheme have been unveiled.

The proposal by city based developed Aster Homes is to transform the former Ernesettle community centre site into a 40 unit extra care housing scheme for older people that will include a community space. Planners have now received a planning application for the development.

The land in Ernesettle is one of ten sites that have been sold by the Council for housing developments.

Councillor Mark Lowry, Cabinet member for Finance whose portfolio includes housing delivery said: “I’m very pleased to see work progressing on these sites. The extra care scheme is an important part of our overall plans to deliver a mixture of housing to meet the varied needs of people in the city.

“With the sale of the ten sites we will make a big difference to the amount of affordable housing. This is incredibly important as with high house prices and low average wages it’s incredibly difficult for first time buyers to get on the housing ladder.”

David Luke, Aster Homes regional development director for Devon and Cornwall, said: “We’re very pleased to be working with Plymouth City Council on this important scheme which will breathe new life into the former Ernesettle Community Centre site.

“We have a strong track record of delivering high-quality extra care housing for older people in Plymouth. We’re delighted to be bringing that expertise to this project and we look forward to starting work on site.”

Richard White, Director at Plymouth based Mitchell Architects who have designed the extra care scheme said: “We’re very pleased to be involved in this project and have designed the scheme to meet the varied needs of potential residents, those who require extra support and those who are more independent.

“The flats are large and there are some two bedroom flats available. There will be a variety of communal facilities including a dining room, hobbies room and meeting room. This scheme has also been designed to higher than normal standards of energy efficiency so the flats will be cheaper to heat and will remain cool in the summer and the building is surrounded by a secure landscaped garden, designed professionally with lawns and flowerbeds.”

The ten sites will deliver more than 600 new homes including more than 250 affordable homes. There will be a mixture of homes for sale and rent and the properties will also be more energy efficient. The scheme will support more than 200 jobs in the city’s construction sector and in associated businesses.

The housing affordability gap, rigid lending criteria and high deposit requirements contribute to the barriers a first time buyer faces when trying to get on the property ladder.

Average house prices in Plymouth are around £161,937. In Plymouth an income of at least £28,000 is needed to buy a two bed property, plus a deposit, but average wages are low. A mid range salary is £23,600 with 20 per cent of people earning less than £15,933.

It’s estimated there are approximately 14,000 households living in fuel poverty where they have to spend more than 10 per cent of their income on fuel bills, i.e. gas and electricity.

Delivering these affordable homes will secure £4 million in government grant.

The Get Plymouth Building programme is also part of the Council’s Plan for Jobs which aims to create more than 2,000 jobs over the next two years. The programme is unlocking the land for development and supporting job creation both directly in construction and indirectly in the supply chain of businesses. There are also wider economic benefits of new housing developments in terms of helping to attract skilled people and boosting inward investment.