A family in Cornwall has been able to find a much-needed larger home that suits their requirements with new affordable homes.
Danielle and her partner Tristan, previously lived in a two-bedroom cottage with their two children and were delighted when they were told they secured an affordable home that’s accessible for the family.
When their son Henley, aged 8, was diagnosed with autism and a non-verbal sensory processing disorder, the family needed more space for his specialist equipment, which the previous cottage couldn’t accommodate.
Through our new development at Gwel Woon in Troon, delivered in partnership with Gilbert and Goode and supported by Homes England’s strategic funding grant, the family secured a three-bedroom home.
Danielle Mitchell, said: “We weren’t able to put up an indoor swinger, the structure just wouldn’t hold it. We also just didn’t have the space for it.
“So, we thought we would try social housing and give that a go, but we had never looked into it before.”
With the arrival of their daughter Jessie in January 2024, space became even more limited, and the family decided to apply for a larger home.
Needing to remain close to Falmouth and Penryn for Henley’s specialist school, along with their wider family and local activities like swimming lessons, the housing development was an ideal opportunity.
Danielle continued: “We just kept bidding on homes we thought would be suitable. It was about a year to a year and a half, and we were getting no luck with it. In Cornwall, it’s quite difficult to get a home, and there isn’t a lot of space to build new homes.
“We missed out on the homes to begin with and were absolutely gutted because we were so close. We just really needed somewhere because of the previous property being the way it was.”
Weeks later, Danielle received an unexpected call from LiveWest offering her a house at the development.
Danielle said: “I had a call followed by an email offering it to us. I called straight back and said 'we will have it!'. I called my mum telling her ‘Oh my gosh, we’ve just got offered a house’. It’s actually happened, I just couldn’t believe it.
“Our son is much happier here, he sleeps better, and we eat at a table in the kitchen, so it flows a lot better. The kids love the garden too.
“It's made the structure of the kid's days easier because I can park outside the house, you’ve got the field next door, and everything is safer.”
Danielle appreciates how the homes have been designed to a high energy efficiency standard and enjoys knowing other residents on the estate.
Danielle added: “The process with LiveWest has been pretty simple. We met the housing officer, and he was absolutely lovely. He told us what we needed to know.
“If you’re in private renting like we were, the prices go up. But the homes here have solar panels, so your bills aren’t extortionate, so it makes such a difference.”