Construction starts on new affordable homes in Langton Matravers

Construction has started at a housing development in Langton Matravers which will provide the local community with 28 new affordable homes.

Housing association Aster Group is building the 15,133 square foot scheme, called Spyway Orchard, comprising of one-bedroom flats alongside two, three and four-bedroom houses. Eight of the homes will be available to purchase through the shared ownership scheme, with the remaining homes available for social rent. The majority of the homes on the scheme will be available for local residents or those with a strong connection to the area.

Shared ownership is an affordable way onto the housing ladder, buyers purchase a share of a property and pay rent on the remaining share. This reduces the size of the initial deposit required and if they want to, buyers can buy more shares in their property (called staircasing), eventually leading to outright home ownership.

Working with developer Drew Smith Ltd, the properties have been designed to reflect the local Purbeck character. Using locally sourced stone, the properties will be traditional in style and in keeping with the rural nature of the village. The site will also have an Ecological Enhancement Area and features including bat boxes, bird boxes, the installation of bee bricks and a ‘hedgehog highway’ providing gaps in the fencing between gardens to allow hedgehogs to move freely.

Commenting on the much-needed affordable local housing, Mary Sparks, Clerk to Langton Matravers Parish Council, said: “Though the Council has in the past had reservations about development at Spyway Orchard, we are very pleased to see Aster building new affordable homes which will contribute in so many ways to the well-being and sustainability of the village community.”

Amanda Williams, Group development director at Aster, said: “We’re pleased to work in partnership with Drew Smith Ltd to  bring more affordable  homes to Langton Matravers, enabling local residents the opportunity to live near the people and places they love. The local community has been at the heart of every decision we’ve made from architectural designs, which reflect the famous Purbeck character, to working closely with the parish council to ensure the construction of the homes will be sympathetic to day to day life in the village.

The homes should be ready for the first residents to move in to in winter 2021, with all homes completed and available by late spring 2022.

For more information about Aster Group visit www.aster.co.uk.