Rural homes for Derbyshire Dales
Celebrating our successful partnership
This Rural Housing Week, we’re celebrating our partnership with Derbyshire Dales District Council (DDDC), and its delivery of high-quality, affordable homes in rural communities.
Rural areas often face unique challenges when it comes to accessing affordable housing, and our partnership plays a vital role in supporting local people to live and thrive in the place they call home. With a shared commitment to sustainability and community-focused development, we’re working together to tackle Derbyshire Dales’ unique housing need, in a way that meets both current and future needs.
Affordable homes for Derbyshire Dales.
A place of natural beauty and tourist hotspot – Derbyshire Dales can be an expensive place to live, often pricing locals out of the area.
NCHA are a key provider of affordable housing in the district, where we own and manage 440 homes and continue to invest in new developments.
Meanwhile DDDC has a hands-on role in both enabling and delivering affordable housing. Alongside its own development target of 52 new homes, the council work closely with us and Pelham (NCHA’s in-house design and development team), to identify suitable sites, secure funding and support delivery at every stage.
The programme includes a mix of 40% new-build homes and 60% refurbishments; all designed to achieve a minimum energy rating of EPC B, supporting both partners’ sustainability and corporate goals.
Derbyshire Dales District Council Leader, Councillor Steve Flitter, said: “The provision of affordable homes remains our top priority. Working in partnership with NCHA while rebuilding our own housing stock are both vital elements in achieving that goal. By the end of this financial year, we hope to have exceeded our initial target and we’re determined to continue to explore more opportunities to grow the number of affordable properties here in the Dales."
Jo Hill, Assistant Director of Development and Sales at NCHA, added: “We’re proud to be working with Derbyshire Dales District Council to deliver much-needed homes that are not only affordable, but fit for the future. Our relationship serves as a shining example of how partnership working can deliver affordable, energy efficient homes for rural communities to thrive.”
The partnership in action
At Wash Green in Wirksworth, planning has recently been approved for a carefully considered new affordable housing development designed by Pelham.
12 Rowan Close in Darley Dale is a great example of a successful refurbishment scheme, where the property’s energy performance rating was improved from a D to an A, the highest possible rating. Our Property Services team delivered a range of enhancements, including the installation of a new battery solar system, replacement of all windows and doors, a new combi boiler and a fully refurbished kitchen and bathroom.
Eight new homes were built in Tansley in 2023 and DDDC has since secured further funding to enhance these homes by installing PV panels with our retrofit team providing expert support.
Looking ahead, we’ve recently secured the green light for a new development at Luke’s Lane in Brailsford. Ten new homes, a mix of one, two and three bed homes will be built in partnership with Cameron Homes, and are due for completion in March 2026. They’ll be made available for affordable rent and shared ownership.
Rural Housing Week is an annual campaign led by the National Housing Federation. The aim of the campaign is to highlight the specific housing need facing our rural communities, and what our sector requires to help meet it.
Developing new affordable homes, is part of our ongoing commitment to deliver 370 new homes each year across the East Midlands. Read more about our development ambitions.
