A new development of 40 brand new affordable homes has been opened at Creech St Michael near Taunton by West-based housing associations, Knightstone Housing Association and SHAL Housing.
Located at Hyde Lane, 30 of the new homes are for social rent with a further ten for shared ownership.
The scheme was built in conjunction with Taunton Deane Borough Council. The official opening was attended by SHAL chairman Nobby Turner, Knightstone chairman Delyth Lloyd-Evans and Taunton Deane MP Jeremy Browne.
Knightstone Chief Executive Nick Horne said the new development would play a key role providing much needed affordable accommodation in Somerset.
He said: “Creech St Michael is a fine location and the new homes address the identified housing needs of the area.
“We have worked hard to ensure the new homes are suitable in terms of the character of the area and the existing landscaping as well as providing much needed accommodation for around 85 people.”
West of England Developments (Taunton) Limited assembled the site and obtained planning consent with David Wilson Homes, which has sold 40 houses on the open market.
Weston-super-Mare based Knightstone owns and manages more than 1,500 homes in the area with a further 280 in the pipeline, whilst SHAL owns 650 homes in the Sedgemoor and Taunton Deane areas.
The Hyde Lane site was allocated for housing in the local plan and has been developed, in conjunction with SHAL as a mixed development to provide for all household types.
Nick Horne added: “We aim to provide homes that people want to live in, both existing homes and new homes. As well as building homes that are energy efficient and affordable to live in, we use designs and construction processes that incorporate suitable materials. This process not only reduces waste, but lessens the impact of our homes on the environment.”
Creech St Michael, three miles east of Taunton, has a population of 2,464. Local facilities include a primary school next door, playing fields and playground opposite and a new doctor’s surgery is planned.
All the homes are built to Code for Sustainable Homes Level 3 and include flats, bungalows along with two and three-bedroom houses.
