24 August 2009
Across England, there is an unmet and growing need for affordable housing in rural areas where property prices and rents are beyond the reach of local people. Increasingly village families have no alternative than to leave the area they have been part of, often over many generations, and the village of West Dean is no exception.
Recognising this, West Dean Estate, part of the Edward James Foundation that includes West Dean College and Gardens, has worked once more with Hastoe Housing Association to provide ten more homes on two separate sites, now Conway Cottages and Sycamore Cottages, in the village. This brings the total number of affordable homes on the Estate to eighteen.
Six of the new flats and houses have been made available to rent while four are offered on a part-buy, part rent basis. Two of these recently completed properties have already sold and there are two 2 bedroom houses currently available. All of the homes have been developed and are managed by Hastoe while the ownership of all of the sites remains with the Foundation.
The project has been supported by the Chichester District Council and West Dean Parish Council who both confirmed the overwhelming local need for affordable housing. Planning permission was granted because all of the homes are affordable and priority will always be for applicants who have a strong connection to West Dean.
In fact, the four families and two couples who live in the rented properties have lived in the village for a combined total of 101 years.
Sue Lawton, Senior Development Officer, Hastoe Housing Association:
“We are delighted that this project has delivered ten more much-needed affordable homes which give local families the opportunity to stay in the village now and in the future. We would like to thank the Foundation, West Dean Parish Council and Chichester District Council for their continued support of this rural housing initiative. I would encourage any other Parish Councils, who would like to discuss how a village housing project could benefit local people, to get in touch with me on 020 8973 0423.”
The design of this scheme has contributed to its success in particular the exterior flint and feature brick work means that the homes complement the local architectural style. The development at Sycamore Cottages in Cemetery Lane received a Sussex Heritage Trust Award at a ceremony held in July at the Estate’s dedicated functions and weddings venue, Farbridge, itself a Sussex Heritage Trust Award winner in 2008. The Award was presented by the Trust’s President, Lord Lloyd of Berwick, to Hastoe Housing Association’s Sue Lawton.
The judges said that the housing scheme was well designed using traditional materials but constructed to modern residential standards. The homes made best use of the site and they were delighted to see such a high standard of workmanship.
For sales information about the two part-buy, part-rent properties please contact the Hastoe Sales Team on 0800 783 3097 or email sales@hastoe.com.
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For more information please contact: Rebecca Beaumont, Hastoe Housing Association on 020 8973 0437 or email:
rbeaumont@hastoe.com