Housing association to build almost 300 homes in Somerset by 2027

A HOUSING association has announced it will build 292 homes in Somerset over the next three years.

Over the last two years in Somerset, LiveWest has built 25 rural homes in Congresbury, 20 in Wiveliscombe, and 18 in Glastonbury.

The completions are part of a £36m investment to build 193 rural homes across the South West in the last 12 months.

Michelle Jaques and her four children said they "could not be happier" after moving into their dream home in Somerton.

Originally from Yeovil, Michelle needed a larger home to accommodate her growing family and was delighted to be offered a four-bedroom property in the tranquil village.

LiveWest has developed 12 homes for social rent and four for shared ownership in the tranquil village.

Michelle, 31, said: “I am a single mum with four children, and we love living here.

“We have no neighbours overlooking us and the house is beautiful.

“It is an end-of-terrace home with four bedrooms and a beautiful kitchen diner which is huge.

“We came from a three-bedroom home in Yeovil and all of the children have got their own space now. We have never been happier.

“We have found a number of long walks to take us into the countryside and we have a field opposite our home with cattle coming in and out.

“We have also walked to the surrounding villages on footpaths and we love it.

“There are loads of things going on around here for communities which is lovely.

“The children are able to get out, there is a youth club and there is a massive party in the park in July which they are looking forward to.”

A total of 19 new-build shared ownership homes were brought to fruition in Congresbury through a joint partnership involving LiveWest, Freemantle, and Tallagh, with six others built for rent.

First-time buyer, Jack Benjamin, along with his partner, were among the fortunate new owners moving into the energy-efficient homes which benefit from solar panels, high-quality insulation and solar PV.

Mr Benjamin, 27, said: "We are really happy here and it feels like home.

“My home is trendy, modern and it has solar panels, which will help reduce my energy bills.

“This is my first home through shared ownership, and I definitely recommend LiveWest as they have really supported me through this process.

“Being a first-time buyer, you’re not always sure about the buying process but LiveWest were really knowledgeable and supportive.”

Work has started to build 25 new homes in Ashcott, just west of Street, after LiveWest partnered with construction organisation EG Carter to meet local housing needs on the Charity Farm site.

Sedgemoor District Council approved the development which will see 20 homes built for affordable rent and five for shared ownership.

The homes will range from one-bedroom flats to four-bedroom homes and will cost almost £7m to develop.

The development is forecast to be completed in early 2025 and benefits from grant funding from LiveWest’s strategic partnership with Homes England, the Government’s housing and regeneration agency.

The homes will have air source heat pumps which extract heat from the air to help heat the homes and will also be fitted with solar photovoltaic panels to generate electricity - to "reduce heat and energy bills".

LiveWest will also soon complete 19 homes in Bishops Lydeard, north west of Taunton, which includes sustainable homes for people with learning disabilities.

Gareth Jones, Development Director for LiveWest, said: “Building rural homes changes lives and helps to strengthen communities.

“Housing prices everywhere, including in rural areas, continue to rise which is why our commitment to affordable housing is so important to offer people the chance of a new home and to sustain vibrant rural communities.

“Our development plans mean we will be working in a broad range of rural communities across the South West to deliver homes that people can afford to live in.

“Alongside our ambitious plans to build around 766 rural houses in the next three years, we are also focusing on their energy performance to ensure that all our new houses offer energy efficient comfortable homes for our customers.”