12 new affordable homes are completed in Stockton

Stonewater, one of the UK's largest affordable housing providers, has completed 12 new affordable homes for local people in Jubilee Fields, off Glebe Close, in Stockton. The scheme has been developed in partnership with Warwickshire Rural Housing Association (WRHA) which will acquire nine of the units for affordable rent, with Stonewater retaining the remaining properties for shared ownership.

Stonewater worked with Stratford District Council and contractor Heyford Homes to deliver the affordable properties as part of a larger 17-home development which provides three two- and three-bedroom houses for shared ownership and a mix of six two- and three-bedroom houses and three two-bedroom bungalows for affordable rent. The additional five homes will be sold by Heyford Homes on the local market.

The affordable properties, which are built on former farmland, each have a garden and allocated parking as well as access to a community copse area adjacent to the development on land owned by Stockton Parish Council. Stonewater and WRHA are contributing £2,000 each to help develop this feature which is being provided by the Parish Council.

“We are delighted to be handing over these 12 Stonewater homes that will provide local people, who can no longer afford the high cost of housing in the village, with smart new high quality affordable homes," said Anne Dokov, Stonewater West Operations Committee Chair.  “Small housing developments like this one are absolutely vital to maintaining the long-term health and sustainability of rural villages like Stockton in the area. They enable local residents, particularly young people and families to stay living in the community where they support and maintain local village shops, schools, post offices and other important services and amenities. We look forward to continuing our successful partnership with Stratford District Council, WRHA and our construction partners and providing many more affordable homes across the District over the coming years."

The traditionally designed and economical-to-run Stonewater homes have all been built to the Code for Sustainable Homes Level 3 energy-efficiency rating and are well insulated, with gas central heating and solar panels installed. These energy-saving measures will help to reduce the cost of residents' energy bills and lower their carbon footprint.

Cllr Chris Saint, Leader of Stratford District Council says: “I am proud to welcome this scheme to the growing 'family' of community-led rural housing schemes built within Stratford-on-Avon District in recent years.  We have a strong track record in helping local communities and their partners deliver high-quality schemes like this.  I am delighted that the District Council has been able to support this scheme both financially and practically and, in so doing, help the local community realise their ambitions.  I hope that other communities within the District will feel able to take inspiration from this project as a great example of what could be achieved within their own towns and villages."

Stonewater has financed the scheme with additional funding support from Stratford District Council and the Homes and Communities Agency. The new homes in Jubilee Fields will be the fifth scheme completed by Stonewater in partnership with WRHA under Stratford District Council's rural housing programme. Stonewater is currently working with the Council to provide a further 11 affordable homes in Church Lane, Shottery and six in Barton Rd, Welford-on-Avon.

Roger Smith, Managing Director for Heyford Homes said: “Heyford Homes was delighted to be awarded the contract for this scheme and add that it has been a pleasure working with Stonewater, Warwickshire Rural Housing Association, Stratford District and Stockton Parish Councils on this successful project.

“We are very proud of the quality of the finished development and believe it will have a lasting positive effect on the community and that remains the foundation of our company ethos. We fully endorse the principles behind these affordable rural housing schemes which are essential for the survival of our villages and we therefore hope to continue this partnership on similar projects in the future."

Derrick Dyas, WRHA Chairman said: “I would like to mention the excellent working relationship we have with Stonewater, they fully “get" and understand what we, a specialist county based Rural Housing Association, are about and we feel they genuinely buy into what we do. We consider them a very valuable partner and we would value this relationship continuing."