The biggest affordable home development in Ashburton for 23 years has been completed and all the residents have moved into their new homes.
We teamed up with Dartmoor National Park Authority, Teignbridge District Council, Ashburton Town Council and local developer, Coyde Construction, to develop a scheme for 39 affordable homes in the town.
Work started to develop the four-acre site in March 2021 and included a range of homes, from one to four-bedroom properties, including a two-bedroom bungalow which has been specifically built for a wheelchair user. The homes are a mix of 25 social rent and 14 shared ownership properties.
The development benefited from grant funding from LiveWest’s strategic partnership with Homes England, the government’s housing and regeneration agency.
Gareth Jones, our Development Director, said: “We are very excited to see all the homes at Ashburton completed.
“Our vision is to create homes and communities that people love to live in, and this location supports this.
“We have a commitment to deliver new affordable homes across the South West to help address local housing need.
“With the support of grant funding from Homes England, we were able to deliver all 39 homes at Ashburton as affordable housing.
“We hope these new homes strengthen the community as we understand how important affordable homes are in helping local people remain local.
“By incorporating sustainable features we’re also helping to lower the carbon footprint which has long term benefits for those living here.
“We hope all of our customers are enjoying their new homes.”
Liz Cooper moved into one of the new homes with husband, Brian, and their two children.
Liz said: “The homes are absolutely beautiful and we’re just so happy that the kids have this community and the ability to go out and play with their friends.
“It’s lovely have the family support we have, but also raise children where it’s a bit safer. I’m also disabled so my husband needs additional help as well.
“LiveWest has been fantastic, and they have been open and clear throughout the process. The Lettings team kept us up to date with everything.”
Jake and Robyn Laskey were renting a small flat with no garden. They wanted to move to a bigger property so their two girls could get a room each and stay in the area close to Jake’s family.
They have now moved into their new home thanks to the social rent properties on the development.
There was a requirement of having a local connection to qualify for the properties. Due to Jake’s connection in Ashburton, they were able to apply for a LiveWest rental property.
Robyn said: “Jake grew up here and we both went to school here. It feels like home for both of us.
“We wanted to move here for the local connection mainly. Being so close to Jake’s family especially his grandparents is really important to us.
“LiveWest has been fabulous, and the quality of the homes is amazing. They’re so much better and bigger than we thought they would be. They’re a really good addition to the town.”
Leader of the Lib Dems at Teignbridge, Cllr Martin Wrigley said: “It is good news that all these new homes have been completed and occupied by local families who can now stay in Ashburton.
“It is a great example of the benefits that come from different organisations working together with a local developer to build quality homes that local people need.”
Jenny Coyde, Managing Director for Coyde Construction, said: “We are delighted to have worked with LiveWest, helping to bring their vision and commitment to fruition on this exciting project in Ashburton.”
The last affordable housing development in Ashburton was completed in 2000.
Since then, the Ashburton Affordable Housing Group, Ashburton Community Land Trust and Ashburton Town Council, have continued to explore ways of working with partners to provide and allocate more affordable homes for residents and people with a close connection to the town.
Philip Sanders, Chair of Development Management Committee for Dartmoor National Park Authority, said: “Creating the right opportunities for home ownership in the National Park is central to this Authority’s long-term planning vision. By forming positive partnerships, we’re creating the right conditions where good quality, affordable and accessible housing for local people is no longer a pipedream for those who want to live in this wonderful protected landscape.”
Councillor Jenny Jones, Ashburton Town Council Mayor, said: “The latest building project of affordable homes is almost near completion with 39 mixed dwellings now fully occupied at The Meads, Rew Road Ashburton.
“This development has come a long way to providing high quality homes, catering for the broader population, allowing local people to live in the area they were bought up in.
“Ashburton Town Council would like to thank all those associated with the development for a job well done.”