Construction starts on new affordable homes

Construction has started in a north Cornwall village, which will see 18 new homes offered for local residents.

Cornwall Community Land Trust, one of the most active CLTs in the country, exchanged contracts on a 53,000 sq. ft. greenfield site in Jubilee Close from the Duchy of Cornwall earlier this year.

The two- and three-bedroom homes will be available for Duloe residents or those with a strong connection with the local area, with 10 for shared ownership and eight for affordable rent.

The homes are being built by local builders J.J Jones & Sons and will be managed by Aster once they are completed in January 2019.

Amanda Williams, group development director at Aster Group, said: “CLT partnerships are an important way of creating new affordable homes in rural areas.

"We have made a commitment to deliver affordable homes in rural areas as part of our social purpose. By supporting community-led schemes like Jubilee Close we can back the long-term future of our region's villages and, ultimately, build more houses, helping to achieve our goal of ensuring everyone has a home."

Helen Downing, development manager at Cornwall Community Land Trust, said: "One of the best ways to combat the housing crisis in Cornwall is by communities taking house building into their own hands. Our Trust works with locals to secure the land, the funding and the building of homes. The homes are then rented below the market rent or bought at a genuinely affordable price, and importantly can only be sold at a below-market value to local first time buyers."

Andrew Mitchell, Cornwall Council cabinet member for homes, said: "Cornwall Council has provided almost £400,000 to help Aster deliver a scheme of 100% affordable housing. I'm delighted that construction on this site will soon be underway to deliver the type of housing that Cornwall needs."

His thoughts were echoed by Chris Matthews, Deputy Land Steward from the Duchy of Cornwall, who said: “The Duchy is delivering affordable housing at locations across the South-West but this is the first time we have worked with Cornwall Community Land Trust in Cornwall. We share the trust’s aim of creating homes which are integrated into existing communities and give people a sense of pride in where they live.”