New affordable eco-homes officially opened in Norfolk » Housing » 24dash.com

Councillor John Perry-Warnes and Caroline Pickering Chair of Broadland Housing Association have officially opened a new affordable eco-housing scheme in Bodham, between Holt and Cromer in North Norfolk.

They celebrated the event with a tree planting ceremony followed by afternoon tea and entertainment for the children in the village hall.
 
The scheme, which comprises 10 new homes – eight for affordable rent and two for part-buy part-rent – cost just over £500,000 to develop and was completed in February 2008.

The scheme was originally conceived in 2003, but potential land identified for the new homes fell outside the development area for the village’s local plan and there was some opposition to the proposal for the new homes.

However, a local housing needs survey, undertaken by Norfolk Rural Community Council for North Norfolk District Council, highlighted that the village was susceptible to becoming unsustainable because families and young people were moving away due to a lack of suitable affordable homes.
 
Detailed discussions with planners at North Norfolk District Council were initiated and further consultation with the local community to refine the plans was undertaken and, with strong support from the Chair of Bodham parish council and the ward Councillor the scheme was progressed under the Council’s Exceptions Policy, which means the homes were developed for occupation only for people in housing need who can prove a strong connection with the local area.
 
The new homes have achieved an Eco rating equivalent of “Very Good”. They have been built using a modern method of construction with high levels of insulation, making them extremely affordable to run.
 
The installation of mains gas to the scheme, which has enabled neighbours in nearby private properties to connect to the supply, has tackled the issue of fuel poverty which affects so many rural communities.

The new development has also provided a number of other benefits to the wider community. At the consultation, neighbours reported that the access road was prone to flooding.

When Broadland’s technical team investigated they identified a problem with the village hall car park’s soakaways which they were able to resolve when the new homes were being built.

The Association has also assisted the Parish Council to access funding to enable it to complete the village sports ground’s pavilion and is working with the council to help purchase additional land to develop more community facilities for the village.

Speaking at the event, Cllr Perry-Warnes said: “I am delighted to be here at the official completion of these new homes in Bodham. We need more schemes like this in north Nofolk where so many rural communities are in danger of losing young families and people who have grown up there but can’t stay because of a lack of suitable accommodation.

"The history of this scheme’s development at Bodham is a great example of how communities, their representatives and housing providers can work together to tackle problems and give a village a chance to retain its unique character and help it prosper for years to come.”
 
Caroline Pickering, Chair of Broadland Housing Association, said: “The demand for good quality, affordable homes in Norfolk is very high and these homes at Bodham represent an important step towards meeting this need. I warmly welcome the new residents and hope they will be very happy in their new homes.”
 
Michael Newey, Chief Executive of Broadland Housing added: “It has been a great pleasure to work with the people of Bodham to help them expand their community sensitively and appropriately by providing good homes at affordable rental rates to local people who are in housing need and want to stay in this area.

"These new homes mean that young people in particular who want to stay here and carry on contributing to Bodham’s thriving community, now and in the future, will be able to afford to do so.”