Work starts on new affordable homes in Weston-super-Mare
West of England housing association and Homes for the South West member, Curo, have started construction works with contractor Clayewater Homes to deliver another 17 new affordable homes in Weston-super-Mare.
Image above: (L-R) Curo Chief Executive, Victor da Cunha, Leader of North Somerset Council, Cllr Donald Davies, and Clayewater Homes Managing Director, Brian Webber, breaking ground at Curo’s new affordable housing scheme in West Wick, Weston-super-Mare.
The three and four-bedroom homes will be built on two sites in West Wick, at Scot Elm Drive and Warelys Lane.
Curo are investing more than £4.6million in the new homes, along with just over £800,000 of government funding from Homes England and £305,000 grant funding from North Somerset Council. These investments will help keep rents significantly below the local market rent levels in perpetuity and will enable more local people to take a first step on the property ladder. This is the first time the Council have worked in partnership with Curo in this way and marks the beginning of a longer-term relationship between the two.
Curo Chief Executive, Victor da Cunha, says:
“Curo have committed to build 1,700 homes across the West of England over the next five years. Weston-super-Mare, like many other parts of the region, is in desperate need for additional good quality affordable housing for local people, so we’re really pleased to be playing our part in supporting the local authority in its ambitious plans to deliver the homes local people need.
“Building new homes is also good for the local economy, helping to provide jobs and ploughing money back into local supply chains. Over recent months, we’ve worked with North Somerset Council to help shape their economic recovery plan and we’re pleased to see that new housing will feature strongly at the centre of their strategy.”
Eleven of the new homes in West Wick will be sold through the part rent/part buy scheme, Shared Ownership, and the remainder six will be let at social rent through North Somerset Council’s choice-based lettings scheme. All of the homes will be fitted with solar panels on the roofs, benefitting future residents who will be able to enjoy lower electricity bills.
Cllr Donald Davies, Leader of North Somerset Council, says:
“We’re pleased to support this scheme, which will deliver desperately needed new affordable homes in Weston-super-Mare, helping people on the Council’s housing waiting list, and those local residents who can’t afford to buy a home on the open market.
“These new homes will benefit the local community well into the future and we look forward to welcoming their residents with Curo next year. It’s vital that the Council and housing associations work together to address the housing crisis in our area, putting residents and the needs of the community first.”
The homes will be completed and ready to receive their new residents by November 2021.
