Planning application submitted for £1.3 million Appledore housing development

A landmark project which will see much-needed new affordable homes for the North Devon village of Appledore has moved a step closer.

A planning application has been submitted by ethical housing developer and landlord Aster Group for the £1.3 million scheme featuring nine brand-new homes. The project is the brainchild of the Appledore Community Land Trust, a not-for-profit organisation set up in 2009 by lifetime Appledore residents to oversee the provision of affordable homes for local people and other community benefits for Appledore.

Working on behalf of the Trust, Aster will deliver two one-bedroom flats, as well as six two and one three-bedroom houses. They will be built on the non-wooded part of a piece of former scrub land which has been specially purchased by the Trust for the project. All of the new homes will be for affordable rent and will be managed on the Trust’s behalf by Aster when complete.

The scheme is also supported by Torridge District Council, which has successfully worked with Aster on two similar rural housing projects in the region. Last year, the pair collaborated as Aster handed over 18 new homes for affordable rent in the villages of Bradworthy and Buckland Brewer.

David Luke, Aster Group regional development director, says: “Increasing house prices and a high number of second homes make it incredibly difficult for anyone living in a village like Appledore to get a foot onto the housing ladder, or even rent privately.

“It’s our vision that everyone should have a home and we have pledged to deliver more than 9,500 new homes over the next seven years. In addition to building large-scale new housing developments, we also have a strong track record of developing high-quality affordable homes in rural locations.

“We have made a commitment to continue this through our Aster Foundation which supports this type of community initiative and helps to make a real difference to the lives of people living locally.”

Andrew Eastman, chairman of Appledore Community Land Trust, says: “This is a unique opportunity to provide homes for local people at a rent well below market levels. The village has an aging population and in particular, we need to assist and encourage young Appledorians to be able to stay in their village.”

Subject to planning permission being granted, it is expected work will begin on the new homes by the end of the year.