• New rural homes enable couple to return to village

New rural homes enable couple to return to village

"It is wonderful to be back where everyone knows us and where we feel we belong."

John and Barbara Proctor

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A new rural housing development at Sharnford in Leicestershire has secured the future of eight local families.

Developed by Coalville-based housing and care provider emh group, the properties were given the green light following a Housing Needs survey which demonstrated the demand for the affordable homes in the village.

The new houses and bungalows on Coopers Close will be managed by Midlands Rural Housing on behalf of Leicestershire Rural Housing Association.

Coopers Close has meant local residents like John and Barbara Proctor can be part of village life once more.

Barbara said: “We raised five children in Sharnford but when they were all grown up we found the house far too big for just the two of us. So we had to downsize which unfortunately meant having to move away. We kept in touch though and still helped organise local events such as the annual village show, so it is wonderful to be back where everyone knows us and where we feel we belong.”

The £1 million scheme was funded by emh group, with contributions of £62,000 in New Homes Bonus funding from Leicestershire County Council, a sum which was matched by Blaby District Council, and £120,000 from the Homes and Communities Agency.

Chan Kataria, Chief Executive of emh group, said: “Schemes like this could not be made possible without our fantastic partnerships – in this case with Leicestershire County Council, Blaby District Council, and Sharnford Parish Council. These new homes do more than meet local housing needs, they also contribute to the richness of village life.”

Councillor Terry Richardson, the new Leader of Blaby District Council, said: “This is the fifth such site that Blaby has developed for new homes, and I will be carrying on the tradition of using New Homes Bonus funding to do the right thing established by my predecessor, Ernie White. We care about people, and we care passionately about providing housing so that people can remain in their communities.”