Start on site for new affordable homes

Six households are set to receive keys to a new local home, following the start on site of a new affordable development in an area of natural outstanding beauty.

 

As a result of hard work by local residents and the Upper Coly Valley Community Land Trust, Teign Housing is now able to develop the much-needed properties all of which will be let at social rent. The development of six homes, being built for Teign Housing by Coyde Construction, includes three, two-bed houses, one three-bed house and two one-bed bungalows based on local housing need.

 

The Northleigh development, called Chilcombe Field, in the Upper Coly Valley near Honiton in East Devon, was chosen to satisfy the need for affordable housing for local people in the villages of Northleigh, Southleigh and Farway. The new homes will be available to bid via Devon Home Choice a few weeks prior to completion, with priority being given to those with an existing local connection to the three villages. Residents will move in in early 2026.

 

Tom Woodman, chief executive of Teign Housing, said: “There is a real lack of affordable housing for young people and families in the villages, so local people have to move away from the communities they call home. High house prices and high rents make things incredibly difficult for people. We are really pleased to have been working with partners to find a way to deliver affordable homes for rent, as well as ensuring attractive homes that enhance the area.

 

“We are delighted to reach this milestone and look forward to welcoming new residents early next year. Thank you to all the local people, partners and funders involved.”

 

The scheme has been made possible thanks to funding from Homes England, East Devon District Council and Teign Housing. Over the years, Upper Coly Valley Community Land Trust received grant funding to pay for the design and associated works to obtain planning permission, and the land was originally sold to Teign Housing by the local parish council.

 

A Community Land Trust (CLT) is a community-led, not-for-profit organisation that provides land and buildings to meet the long-term needs of its community.  It offers a way to provide permanently affordable housing, and holds these assets in trust, so the community benefits forever.

 

Willy Rich, Chair of the Upper Coly Valley Community Land Trust, said: “This project started just over 10 years ago with a meeting at Wilmington village hall with all the local parishes to ascertain if there was a need for housing and if there was, how to move the project forward.  From there, the Upper Coly Valley Community Land Trust was formed.

 

“Many people and organisations have helped us over the years, and we look forward to seeing the hard work come to fruition now that Coyde Construction has started on-site to build the six homes for our local community.”

 

In 2014, as part of the latest full housing needs survey, a breakdown of Council tax bandings across the four parishes showed there were only 73 properties in the lower two bands, which represent the entry level properties that people needing affordable housing would be able to afford. Forty-eight per cent of residents who responded to the survey said they were in favour of an affordable development.

 

Councillor Paul Arnott, Leader of East Devon District Council, said: “I am proud to support this important milestone, as construction begins on a much-needed development of affordable homes, and we work in partnership with Teign Housing to address the demand for affordable housing in our rural areas. It is essential that local families can access good quality, affordable housing, to enable them to live safely and comfortably in the communities they know and love. I hope this development will provide a sustainable and affordable housing solution that will benefit the area for years to come.”

 

The homes will be allocated through Devon Home Choice, with priority given to applicants with a connection to the parishes of Northleigh, Southleigh and Farway. To register on Devon Home Choice (DHC), visit www.devonhomechoice.com.  Residents without access to the internet or needing more help can call East Devon District Council’s Housing Options Team on 01395 519982.

  

The photograph taken at the site is of (from L-R) Councillor Paul Arnott, Leader of East Devon District Council; Willy Rich, Chair of the Upper Coly Valley Community Land Trust; and Tom Woodman, Chief Executive of Teign Housing.