NEW low-cost homes will be delivered on the edge of a Somerset village following a grant by central government.

Strongvox Homes, which is based in Taunton, was granted permission in October 2020 to build 109 new houses on the Cricketer Farm brownfield site on the A39 Cannington Road in Nether Stowey, near the Quantock Hills area of outstanding natural beauty (AONB).

Sedgemoor District Council granted a request by the developer to remove all affordable housing planned from the site in April 2022, after the company claimed the development was no longer viable.

The council has now announced that these homes will be provided after all, following a successful funding bid to Homes England.

The government agency has provided £1.5m to deliver 16 new low-cost homes within the site, on top of £180,000 from the EDF housing mitigation fund, which was set up ahead of construction beginning on the Hinkley Point C nuclear power station.

Strongvox will construct the new homes, which will then be purchased by the council – and its unitary successor – and offered to local residents at social rent levels (i.e. far below market rates).

Duncan Harvey, housing development manager at Homes in Sedgemoor, said: “We have been working closely with Nether Stowey Parish Council to bring
genuinely affordable, high-quality homes to the village.

“We are delighted to report such a positive outcome from our collective efforts.

“Local people with a housing need, and who have the strongest connection with Nether Stowey, will be given the highest priority for the new homes.

“We will be organising a future drop-in session so that potential applicants can find out more about what is available and register their interest.

“This is a great opportunity for people to live affordably within a community in a place to which they have a strong connection.”

The 16 properties will comprise six two-bedroom flats, six two-bedroom houses, three three-bedroom houses and a further three-bedroom house which is suitable for wheelchair users.

The first four properties are expected to be completed and ready for occupation by the summer, with a further six due to be finished by October and the remainder by October 2024.

Anyone wishing to rent one of these properties must be registered with Homefinder Somerset. To register, visit www.homefindersomerset.co.uk.