FINAL PHASE AFFORDABLE HOUSING DEVELOPMENT GETS UNDER WAY AT SPRINGFIELD ROAD, HIGHBRIDGE

 

Building works to provide 117 much needed affordable homes on land adjacent to ASDA in Springfield Road in Highbridge first got underway in May 2009.

 

Despite not securing all the necessary public sector funds to build all 117 homes, Raglan Housing Association made a start building the first 73 units. Since being built and occupied, these new homes are making a vital contribution towards the physical regeneration of the town.

 

The development plans at Springfield Road were developed by the association working in partnership with Sedgemoor District Council, Burnham and Highbridge Town Council and the Homes and Communities Agency (HCA), the national homes and regeneration agency. 

 

Increasing the supply and availability of affordable homes continues to be a key priority for Sedgemoor District Council. Over the past few years, the Council has seen significant success by increasing the numbers new housing built and has ambitious plans to increase the pace of affordable housing delivery over the next few years. These homes will be needed to support the future economic and community prosperity for the town.

 

On Thursday 17 November, councillors and senior members staff from Sedgemoor District Council joining representatives from Raglan Housing Association and Mansell Building Contractors to celebrate the formal start-on-site of construction of the final phase of housing development at Springfield Road.

 

The development partners have worked hard to secure the necessary funds to support the start of construction. It is anticipated that this phase of development will be completed by December 2012 and once built, will provide a further 44 affordable homes. 

 

The homes will achieve Code for Sustainable Homes Level 3 and will feature solar thermal panels which provide hot water to the new homes. Communal lighting will be powered, in part, by photovoltaic cells on the roofs. This will help to reduce the impact on the environment and energy costs for residents.

 

Speaking at the official launch, Sedgemoor District Council’s Chairman, Councillor Gill Slocombe said “The Springfield Road housing project is an important gateway site and is making a positive contribution to the wider Highbridge Regeneration Jigsaw. The recently completed homes here have offered a lot of people access to a genuinely affordable and decent home. We are delighted to be celebrating the start of construction of these additional homes. Raglan has a track record of providing good quality, well managed homes and the Council is proud of its association with them”

 

Sedgemoor’s Affordable Housing Development Manager added “Affordable housing continues to be a key priority for the Council. To be able to mark this milestone in the presence of so many senior council members and officers reaffirms the importance the authority places on delivering the Springfield Road project and the authority’s wider affordable housing agenda.”

 

Richard Stevenson, Raglan’s Director of Development said “Raglan enjoys a strong relationship with Sedgemoor District Council and we hope that the strength of this relationship continues to enable us to deliver new affordable housing in this area.”