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Best affordable housing scheme in the country opens 
01/06/06

A five-year struggle to provide affordable homes for a rural community in Bakewell was finally over when a new development opened on 25 May.

Following a lengthy planning process and the subsequent involvement of a Government Inspector in determining a Village Green application, Nottingham Community Housing Association was finally able to go ahead with the planned building at Highfield Drive in Bakewell.

Despite the Inspector finding in NCHA’s favour the legal delays resulted in an extra half a million pounds cost, increasing the overall cost to £3.5million for the 36 affordable homes.  During the period of delay NCHA remained resolute and determined to see the scheme built to address the overwhelming housing need in the town.  NCHA gave thanks for the unwaivering support of large numbers of local people and other agencies during both the planning and Village green application periods.

 

Assistant Director of Development for NCHA Gary Turner said “Fundamentally, a close partnership with Derbyshire Dales District Council, the Peak District National Park Authority and most important of all, local people desperate for new homes, helped us overcome the small amount of local objection.” 

The result is an attractive mixed-tenure development comprising 28 homes for rent and 8 for shared-ownership and described by planners as “the best affordable housing scheme in the country”.  The new houses blend into the countryside scene as local builders Wildegoose have used Derbyshire stone with dry-stone walling in garden areas. 

Admiring the added bonus of level wide access and toilet facilities on the ground floor, mum of two, Sharron Rosling, said “Shared ownership is the only way we could afford to get on the housing ladder in Bakewell.  My husband and I waited five years on the council waiting list with just this one hope in sight.  We have a disabled son and private rented accommodation was simply no good for us.  This new home means we can adapt and lead the life we only dreamed of.”