MAYOR DIGS DEEP TO SUPPORT NEW HOMES IN BOZEAT
02/04/2009
On Friday 27th March, Cllr Higgins turned the soil at the brand new development site of seven affordable homes on Harrold Road in Bozeat.
A housing needs survey carried out by Northamptonshire Rural Housing Association in July 2004, showed that villagers recognised the lack of local affordable housing and supported new the development.
As a result, a village walk was organised in partnership with the Parish Council and the site on Harrold Road was identified.
Wellingborough Borough Council confirmed it to be an ‘exception site’ – a site outside the village boundary on which affordable housing for local people can be provided where normal open market housing would not be allowed.
Owned by the Duchy of Lancaster, the land is being leased to Northamptonshire Rural Housing Association for 125 years.
The development will comprise five two bedroom and one three bedroom home for rental and a two bedroom home for shared ownership – or part buy, part rent. All will be owned and managed by Northamptonshire Rural Housing Association.
The Housing Association specialises in building small-scale developments which blend in with existing properties in rural communities and Bozeat is no exception.
With the help of Wellingborough Borough Council, the development has been designed in keeping with the style of properties in the village. There will be a large open space in front of the houses to mirror the local traditional farm yard design.
All the new homes are being built to create a healthy living environment where people want to live with affordable running costs.
Along with increased insulation to keep heating costs down for occupiers, the homes will benefit from air source heat pumps, a sustainable cost effective heating system.
Air is taken from outside and either heated or cooled before being pumped into the property. Occupiers can set the required temperature and enjoy a comfortable home all year round, while saving energy and money on fuel bills.
Funding from the Homes and Communities Agency was secured by Northamptonshire Rural Housing Association’s development agent, East Midlands Housing.
“It’s great news for local people” commented Jasper Hart, chairman of Northampton Rural Housing Association.
“Local people often find it hard to afford properties in the villages they’ve grown up in and are forced to live elsewhere. These new homes will only be available to people who have strong connections to Bozeat.”
“We hope that the first new occupiers will be able to move in by Christmas and enjoy an extra special festive season in a brand new home.”