Housing Association is full of heart as new homes are built in Ilmington

Warwickshire Rural Housing Association (WRHA) and its partners met in Ilmington today to celebrate the start of its latest development of new homes.

When complete there will be 10 new homes for affordable rent and shared ownership and four for local market purchase at the site off Armscote Road.  These will be allocated to local people with a connection to the village.

To mark the occasion, WRHA has made a donation to the village, which the Parish Council has used to buy an Intelligent Public Access Defibrillator.  This life-saving equipment will be available for all to use in the village.

The development has been made possible by an innovative funding arrangement.  Warwickshire County Council has made land available to WRHA at agricultural values.  They have also agreed that half of the receipts from the sale of the land for the local market homes will go to WRHA to subsidise the building of the affordable rental homes. 

Derrick Dyas, Chairman of Warwickshire Rural Housing Association (WRHA) said: “Current studies show we need over 300 new rural affordable homes throughout the county in the next five years.  We are pleased to be providing homes for those who have grown up in Ilmington or who work locally, and struggle to pay market price.

“We are particularly pleased that Warwickshire County Council has been so supportive in negotiating the funding arrangements.  This kind of innovative thinking is to be highly commended and we would encourage other local authorities to follow this example.

“WRHA is very keen to play a role in developing communities, not just building homes, so I am also very pleased that we are able to fund the purchase of a defibrillator for Ilmington."

Leader of Warwickshire County Council, Councillor Izzi Seccombe said: “I'm delighted that we've been able to support this development.  We have a large rural population in Warwickshire and we recognise the real need from local people for affordable and decent housing, both for rent and for sale, in our villages. Warwickshire County Council wants to ensure that we have a living, working countryside with inclusive rural communities, which will help young people to remain in the areas where they grew up."

Kim Slater, Chief Executive of Warwickshire Rural Community Council said: "Average house prices in Stratford District are nearly 8 times average annual household income. This rises to 14 times for "affordable" housing and is usually worse in rural areas as there is less affordable housing available in the first place!  Improving the supply of affordable housing is essential for the viability of our rural communities.  WRCC is proud to have worked with WRHA and other partners to deliver the Ilmington scheme and others in the district."

Claire Linfoot McLean is the Development Director for Linfoot Country Homes Ltd.  She commented: “I am delighted to have the opportunity to continue to promote local market housing throughout Stratford District. The Armscote Road project represents an exciting opportunity for purchasers with a local connection to Ilmington to secure one of the four local market houses ahead of people from outside the community."

Councillor Maurice Howse of Stratford District Council, Portfolio Holder, Enterprise Housing and Revenues commented: “Stratford District Council are really pleased to see this development go ahead, providing affordable homes for local people. With a mix of affordable rent, shared ownership and local market purchase it will allow local people to benefit and help keep their family in their local village. Congratulations to WRHA for making it happen and for their gift of a defibrillator for the community."

Mark Robinson of Ilmington Parish Council commented: “It seems a long time since the wheels were set in motion for these new homes in Ilmington.  There have been many hurdles along the way which could have prevented these homes being built and so I would like to thank WRHA for their perseverance against all odds which has culminated in the start of the building work.

The housing survey conducted in 2006 showed the need for 14 affordable houses in the village, and so the start today of these 10 “affordable homes" is a very welcome move towards satisfying the need.

The Intelligent Public Access Defibrillator is a very visible commitment by WRHA to the community of Ilmington and to our welfare. Thank you for this invaluable gift, which could save any one of us from dying unnecessarily from cardiac arrest."

Chris Jones, Development Director for development partner Midlands Orbit Homes said: “Orbit Homes is delighted that it has been able to assist in the delivery of this much needed affordable housing, by utilising grant funding from its HCA programme and working closely in partnership with WRHA, StratfordDC and Linfoot Homes.

The remaining funding comes from The Homes and Communities Agency and from borrowed funds financed by the affordable rents received.

Warwickshire Rural Housing Association(WRHA) is committed to providing affordable homes in rural Warwickshirefor local people and families who would not otherwise be able to afford to live within their own communities.

WRHA was established in 1989 and now manages over 500 homes in 43 rural communities in the county.  The Association considers applicants who have a local connection to the area. Local connection is considered where applicants:

• Live in the area concerned
• Have close relatives (eg parents) living in the area
• Have employment in the area
• Have previous residence in the area

The Ilmington development will include:

2 x 3 bedroom houses for affordable rent

2 x 2 bedroom bungalows for affordable rent

3 x 2 bedroom houses for affordable rent

2 x 2 bedroom houses for shared ownership

1 x 3 bedroom house for shared ownership

1 x 4 bedroom house for local market purchase

2 x 3 bedroom house for local market purchase

1 x 2 bedroom house for local market purchase