It's not often volunteers spend 13 years trying to make a project happen for the good of the community.
But the incredible volunteers at Transition Homes Community Land Trust have done just that, and have succeeded in pulling together a brilliant project that will deliver 39 new energy-efficient affordable homes for local people with a strong connection to Dartington and Totnes.
The homes, which will all be available for social rent, will be delivered to the highest energy efficiency, EPC A, and come with air source heat pumps and PV panels. Incredibly all these homes will be for social rent, a model that is sadly rare these days because the big housing developers are not interested in building low cost housing or homes for social rent.
But local housing association Aster Group has been brave enough to commit to this project in a difficult financial market and believes in the need for social rent homes, which will not come under Right to Buy legislation. They have partnered with the CLT and will deliver the homes, with building to commence soon. We need more of this! Other CLTs in South Devon would love to do the same thing, but there just aren't enough housing associations who are willing to take up this kind of project.
I'll be looking at this in terms of legislation and what kind of support government can give, to make it easier for groups like Transition Homes CLT to bring ideas and projects to fruition.
The CLT was helped by South Hams District Council which provided advice, support and £322,000 of funding along the way.
Those with a local connection to the area can register their interest via Devon Home Choice.
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