208 social rent homes for new East Devon community

Published by Max Salsbury for 24dash.com in Housing and also in Development

Cranbrook, a new community in East Devon, is to gain 208 homes for social rent.

The new town, which is located to the north-east of Exeter, is to be developed in several stages and will eventually provide 1,000s of homes.

The first phase will consist of 1,120 dwellings, of which 328 will be for affordable housing, with 208 of those for social rent.

Sovereign Housing Association and Devon & Cornwall Housing Group (DCH) will share equal allocation of the properties, which are in receipt of a £15.6m investment from the Homes and Communities Agency (HCA).

All of the affordable homes will be allocated to local people.

Under a local agreement, 65 percent of the homes will be allocated to applicants with a local connection to East Devon, and 35 percent to applicants with a local connection to Exeter.

Sovereign will take possession of its first 24 homes in September; DCH's first properties will be delivered in early 2013.

Phil Stephens, Sovereign’s Development and Commercial Director, said: “It’s really exciting that these new homes will soon start to be occupied.

"They meet the very real need for high-quality affordable housing in this area and will be welcomed by local people on the housing register in East Devon and Exeter.”
 
Paul Crawford, Chief Executive at DCH, said: “We are delighted to be playing a key role in the Cranbrook development, providing much-needed affordable housing in the Exeter and East Devon area.

“Our high-quality affordable homes will be prioritised for local people, helping them to gain a firm foothold on the property ladder, remain in the area, and contribute to the wider local economy.

“Our affordable homes will form part of a sustainable new community – one which is a flagship development for the region.”

Steve Jackson, HCA Area Manager, said: “It’s great to see this vitally important scheme progressing well and remains on track for completion of the first affordable homes in September.
 
“Cranbrook is a very important project for us because it delivers new homes that local people need and makes a significant contribution to the local economy, creating new jobs and opportunities which are hugely welcome.
 
“Partners should be congratulated for the commitment and resolve they have shown to keep this crucially important project on track.”