New Homes Open at Hazelbury
Bryan
15 June 2010
SIX New Homes have opened in Hazelbury Bryan
providing homes for local people to rent.
Cllr Mervyn Jeffery of North Dorset District
Council joined Signpost Housing Association Chairman, Ian Keys, to
officially open the scheme by planting a tree in an area of green
space in the centre of the development.
Cllr Jeffery said, “North Dorset District
Council has around 1,000 applicants for affordable housing. Schemes
such as Pidney Green help to provide much needed homes in the local
area. Over the next 5-6 years North Dorset District Council
will be supporting the provision of around 700 new affordable
homes.”
Ian Keys, Chairman of Signpost Housing
Association added, “Our roots are in North Dorset and we are very
proud that we have been able to provide a further six homes in the
District for local families. Our parent company - Spectrum
Housing Group – is committed to providing quality housing and this
remains our commitment despite current uncertainty around the
availability of grant funding for future schemes following the
Government’s announcement to cut public spending.
“However, despite this uncertainty we will
continue to be innovative in our approaches to access funding to
provide much-needed housing. The development of homes is not
just about the bricks and mortar it’s about the jobs it creates and
the training it provides – local employment helps to create
sustainable communities with money being spent in the
locality. With house prices still at high levels the
provision of affordable housing also enables people, who may not be
in a position to buy on the open market, to live in their local
town or village close to family and friends.”
Jane and Jonathan King, Residents at Pidney
Green said, “We have family in the village so Pidney Green is
perfect for us. We’ve been waiting for a 3-bedroom property
for a while and we are so pleased with our new home. The
design of the development means that our children will be able to
play safely outdoors. They will also be attending the local
school.”
Pidney Green would not be possible without the
financial support from the Homes and Communities Agency who
provided funding of £390,000, a further £120,000, through recycled
capital grant, was also provided with the remainder being financed
through Signpost’s sister company, Western Challenge Housing
Association. The total scheme cost was £870,000.
The building contractor for the scheme was
Parsons and Joyce of Poole, the architects were Western Design of
Tarrant Hinton and the employers agent was McNaughts of Poole.
Representatives from the Parish Council,
Residents, Staff, Board Members and the project team attended the
opening.
Lettings to the properties have been made
through North Dorset District Council’s Choice Based Lettings
System.
Ends: with photo of Mr
and Mrs King and the tree planting ceremony (left to right:
Jitinder Takhar, Group Director of Development at Spectrum, Ian
Keys, Chairman of Signpost Housing Association, Cllr Mervyn Jeffery
and Jon Mutter, Project Manager for the scheme).
