Steve Race visits Tithe Barn housing development

Steve Race, the Labour prospective parliamentary candidate for Exeter, recently visited Aster Group’s Tithe Barn new homes development to learn more about the housebuilding process and to see the provision of homes available locally.

Aster, in a joint venture partnership with Linden Homes (part of Vistry Group), is creating Tithe Barn. The development of 378 contemporary homes was launched in 2015 and several phases have been completed to date. Over a quarter of the properties are designated as affordable housing, and there are some fully adapted bungalows for wheelchair users, as well as areas of public open space.

Something that stands Tithe Barn apart from other developments is that it benefits from a state-of-the-art district heating network. Across the entire development, it is estimated the energy efficient system will provide 4,500 tonnes of carbon dioxide savings per year – or the equivalent of removing 1,000 cars from the road.

Steve Race was joined by NHBC regional director Nick Cunningham, as well as representatives from Vistry and Aster.

The visit included a site tour which involved viewing homes at different build stages, looking at an adapted bungalow – with height adjustable worktop areas in the kitchen and level access wet room showers with full body driers in the bathroom – and walking the site while discussing key topics and challenges.

Steve Race, the Labour prospective parliamentary candidate for Exeter, commented: "I’ve talked to residents on the Tithe Barn development many times over recent years, and have watched as new homes have been completed, and families have moved in to create new communities. It has been a fantastic opportunity to see the care and attention that Marcus and his team put into the finished homes. The site is delivering many high-quality affordable homes, including homes for social rent which are much needed by people in our city. As Exeter continues to grow, developments that deliver the right housing, in the right place, with the right infrastructure, will be vital to the continued success of our city.”

Amanda Donaldson, head of new business and delivery at Aster Group, commented: “It was a pleasure to host Steve at the Tithe Barn development and show him the incredible work that is going into providing these much needed homes in the area. The affordable homes which includes 28 shared ownership and 71 for social rent, are all on track to complete next year with 57 homes already handed over to date. The mix of bungalows, flats and houses ranging from one to five-bedrooms means there is something to suit everyone.”

Paul Moran, regional managing director at Vistry South West, said: “It was fantastic to meet Steve Race and to show him the Tithe Barn development. It’s been wonderful to see the site progress and the team’s incredibly proud of the homes we’re creating. In fact, James – the assistant site manager – is such a passionate advocate for the development he is building that he and his partner bought their first home here.”

Nick Cunningham, NHBC’s regional director (South West), added: “It was a pleasure to accompany Steve Race as he was shown the excellent work being undertaken by Linden Homes at Tithe Barn. The development is testament to the commitment to quality in house building shown by Tithe Barn site manager Marcus Ford, who was recently honoured with a Seal of Excellence at the NHBC Pride in the Job Awards. For more than 40 years NHBC’s Pride in the Job Awards have championed the highest standards of UK house building and Marcus is a very worthy recipient.

“We greatly appreciate Steve Race taking the time to come and learn about the great work being undertaken in the industry and we were pleased to be given the opportunity to showcase such beautiful, quality homes that will be enjoyed by their residents for many years to come.”

Tithe Barn provides homes for the local community and is located on the outskirts of Exeter, near Sowton Industrial Estate, offering easy access to the M5 and A30. The new link road has transformed the area and enables residents and others to easily access the road and cycle networks.

The development is supporting the community by providing over £1.86 million in s106 contributions towards open space, youth facilities, indoor and outdoor sports, transport, education and the link road.