SHDC announces new affordable homes in Ivybridge have been completed

The first homes on a new "affordable housing" development in Ivybridge have been completed.

Once complete, the scheme at Rutt Lane on the Saxon Gate development will provide 40 new homes for rent and shared ownership. The site has been developed by Wain Homes and LiveWest, in partnership with South Hams District Council. It is expected the first homes will be ready to move into in the next few weeks.

Cllr Hilary Bastone, Deputy Leader of South Hams District Council, visited the homes last week. He said: “The council is always delighted to see new affordable homes schemes like these come forward, particularly in light of the Housing Crisis that we declared last September. This new development has a good mix of shared ownership and affordable rent properties coming to market, helping people from the South Hams get into a wonderful new home that they can afford.”

Natalie Groves will be moving in to one of the houses with her two children. Her new shared ownership home will be her first step onto the property ladder. Last week, Natalie looked around her new family home for the first time.

Natalie said: “It doesn’t feel quite real yet! I don’t think it’s really sunk in. Once I’m in it might feel a bit more mine but at the moment it’s not quite real.

“It means so much. We’ve had a pretty rough six months, me and the children, so it’s going to be amazing to have our own home. My children are so excited to get this and so am I. I can’t wait to be in!”

The development will include a range of homes, from one to three-bedroom properties. The homes will be a mix of 28 for affordable rent and 12 for shared ownership.

The development will benefit from both Homes England strategic partnership funding as well as £5.8m funding from LiveWest.

Michael Howells, Assistant Development Manager for LiveWest, said: “There is a huge need for affordable housing in the local area, we are delighted that the development will go some way in addressing this. It is ideally located to accommodate local businesses and commuters via the A38 or rail and is surrounded by the South Hams with outlooks onto woodland.”

A spokesperson for Wain Homes, said: “We are really excited to be working with LiveWest at Saxon Gate and many other developments across the region. Our values, commitment to quality and customer service mirrors that of LiveWest and we look forward to the first homes being handed over.”

Image: credit SHDC: Representatives from LiveWest, WainHomes and South Hams District Council - including Cllrs Austen, Bastone, Holway and Abbottt, join new home owner Natalie Groves outside some of the new affordable homes in Ivybridge