A thriving new community for rural East Hoathly

Published by Debbie Pack for Home Group in Housing and also in Communities, Environment, Local Government

Without disturbing the rural charm of East Hoathly near Hailsham in East Sussex, Home Group in partnership with Linden Homes and Wealden District Council, are celebrating completion of 14 high quality and affordable homes. 

These from part of Linden Homes prestigious development off South Street to create 45 new homes.

"This is such a beautiful place to live," said Mrs Sarah Callander who has just moved in with her husband Adrian, son Aaron and daughter Eilidh. "It is such a friendly place to live.  Everyone says hello to you."

The Callanders, who are expecting their third child, were living in a two-bedroom flat in Uckfield and have been waiting six years for larger accommodation.  

The new homes are set in wonderful rural surroundings backing onto open fields. The scheme also features a children’s play area, set in between mature trees. As part of the planning permission, office accommodation was provided on the site, plus a wildlife pond as well as space set aside for a doctor’s surgery.

Home has provided two-bedroom flats, plus two, three and four bedroom family houses. Eleven homes are available for rent and have been allocated to people on the council waiting list.  The remaining three were available through Home’s Newbuild Homebuy scheme, these were very popular and are now all occupied.

Linden Homes, Home Group and Wealden District Council took great care to ensure new homes blend in with the local rural scenery. Each property has been designed to achieve Ecohomes “Very Good” rating. 

Homes feature the latest in energy efficient design, such as high levels of insulation. As there is no mains gas in the village, all the homes have oil fired central heating. To ensure the oil does not run dry, each property has a remote device that indicates the amount of oil remaining.

All properties have been designed in a contemporary style, with either vinyl or carpet provided, all residents had to do was move in.

"This is one of a number of schemes involving housing associations and developers which are helping to meet some of housing needs in the district," said Councillor Johanna Howell, Cabinet member for Housing at Wealden District Council. "We need to provide affordable homes that meet the different requirements of young people, older people and families in our community."

Alan Baldwin, Regional Development Director for Home says: “I am really proud of our latest development in East Hoathy.  The properties look stunning and have given local people a really high standard of accommodation without compromising the wonderful rural setting. 

Funding was provided from the Homes and Communities Agency.

Wealden District Council works in partnership with many housing associations across the District to provide affordable homes to rent and buy both in towns and rural areas.  If you are in need of affordable housing please complete a Wealden District Council Housing Application form at http://www.wealden.gov.uk/housing/Housing_Options_Advice_and_Homelessness/Allocation_of_Homes/Being_Housed_by_the_Council/HousingApplicationForm.aspx

For information of New Build Home Buy properties in the area, contact Moat, the Homebuy agent on 0845 359 6161 during office hours or www.moat.co.uk

Ends

Contacts

If you would like more information please contact:

Debbie Pack, PR Officer

Home (South and Central)

T:  020 8582 2203

M: 07985 339551

E: debbie.pack@homegroup.org.uk 

About Home

Home was established in 1935, in response to the deprivations faced in the North East during the Depression.  Seventy five years on, we continue to adapt to changing economic conditions.

We are proud of our heritage and our people and strive to bring neighbourhoods to life, shaping them into great places to live and work.  Customers are at the heart of everything we do and are actively involved in deciding what we do and how we do it  at both management and community level.

Over 4,500 people work at Home Group, supporting over 200,000 customers in 55,000 homes. We help over 20,000 clients in 520 support schemes across England and Scotland. 

Home Group was the first housing association to raise private finance and one of the first to recognise the difference that affordable housing can make to rural communities.  We were a key player in the early development of neighbourhood management, supporting whole communities and have been leaders in care and support since 1976

Our ultimate aim is that by working together with our customers, clients and partners we are able to offer improved quality, better value, increased choice, opening doors to better lives.

Home has a well-established development and regeneration function, producing 800 new homes per year. 

Home manages nearly 15,000 properties in its south region, through a network of 14 regional offices.  Properties Home provides are a mix of rented, shared ownership, leasehold and leasehold schemes for older people.

Home enjoys a highly successful partnership with Wealden DC and manages properties in East Sussex and Kent through its office based in East Grinstead.