The story
We worked with Warwickshire Rural Housing Association (WRHA) and Stratford-on-Avon District Council to build these homes under the 'Local Choice' initiative. This innovative approach allows members of the community to promote development plans that meet identified local housing needs.
Homes for local people
Following the Housing Needs Survey, Harbury Parish Council wanted assurances on how the Section 106 agreement would be applied and that the new homes would be for people with a local connection.
Tenure mix
The tenure mix agreed with the parish council included market-sale homes as part of the first phase, to help fund extra infrastructure for the whole development.
Working in partnership
Working in partnership with the County Council and Linfoot Homes, we took on board the Parish Council's concerns and engaged with landowners and local authorities to develop land chosen by the community. Concerns about the impact of a relatively large development on the village led to a phased approach being agreed.
Meeting Parish Council requirements
The Parish Council has its own village design statement with specific requirements for building design and material finishes. It was also keen to incorporate open space and footpaths to the nearby playing fields. It was crucial that these guidelines were reflected in proposals, and that there would be no visual difference between social rented homes and private market homes.
Listening to and responding to these views helped us to engage with the community when building further phases.
The finished homes
The homes were all built to Code for Sustainable Homes Level 3, with energy-efficient air source heating and sustainable drainage systems.
Respecting the wishes of villagers, the development incorporated local design features and materials, including local stone, gable windows and canopy porches, so that the new homes were in keeping with surrounding properties and the village as a whole.
There are no visual differences between social rented and market-sale homes.
Funding for the development came from:
- Homes England
- Warwickshire Rural Housing Association
- Local market-sale cross-subsidy.