Investing in affordable rural housing provision is a real focus for us and we are developing homes right across the region.
We have developed 134 rural homes in Cornwall in the last two years and one of our 100% affordable projects at Blackwater is close to being completed.
Our new scheme at Blackwater provides 17 homes for affordable rent, and 11 homes for shared ownership.
We have partnered with Classic Builders to develop the scheme for local people, and residents are set to move into their new homes over the summer.
The scheme has a local connection criteria to the Parish of St Agnes where the village of Blackwater is situated, which means many of the homes will be owned or rented by people already living within that area.
Lucie Sominka, our Development Manager, said: “This is a stunning rural development, proving very popular with local people.
“We’re providing 100% affordable housing at the scheme, and we are looking forward to welcoming customers into their new homes.
“Cornwall’s rural economy relies on residents who live near to their place of work. Good quality, affordable and secure housing is therefore very important to ensure these communities continue to thrive.
“This development is a very good example of a rural area where housing is needed. These new affordable homes will help to address the housing crisis in Cornwall.”
LiveWest has another new development near Truro, where we are working in partnership with developer, Wain Homes Limited, to provide 17 affordable homes in the rural village of Probus.
The first phase of new homes is due to be completed at the end of July 2022, with the final phase of the development being handed over in July 2023.
The new scheme at Probus will provide 12 homes for affordable homes for rent and five homes for shared ownership.
Lucie Sominka added: “It’s wonderful to see affordable homes being built in the lovely village of Probus for local people.
“This scheme will give people the opportunity to take their first steps onto the property ladder or to rent an affordable home have a home at an affordable rent.”
LiveWest is supporting the National Housing Federation’s Rural Housing Week which takes place from 4-8 July to demonstrate the investment housing associations are making in rural communities, and the role they play in offering a lifeline to local people in market towns and villages.
This year’s theme is ‘levelling up rural communities’ which will highlight the many ways housing associations are working to support the levelling up agenda in rural areas.
Gareth Jones, our Development Director, said: “It is great to be able celebrate rural housing and the vital role it plays in helping to sustain thriving rural communities.
“At LiveWest, we are committed to strengthening and supporting rural communities by creating access to excellent affordable housing.
“We know the huge difference affordable rural homes make to local people who want to stay in the area in which they work or have family links.
“Housing associations have a key role to play in supporting local communities coupled with providing homes that people love to live in. We are committed to supporting all our communities, including those who live in rural areas.
“Over the past year we have delivered over 653 homes in rural locations in the South West and we are stepping up our delivery.
“We are committed to increasing the supply of affordable rural housing in our towns and villages and to contributing positively to communities across Cornwall.”
In the next two years, we are planning to deliver 176 affordable homes in rural communities across Cornwall including 36 rural homes in Bude, 33 in Liskeard 21 in Troon and 10 in Kilkhampton.