South Hams District Council is building its own affordable homes for local people ‘for the first time in a generation’.
Councillors yesterday attended the official turf cutting event in St Ann's Chapel, near Bigbury, where the eight affordable homes will be built.
The local authority said the new homes will be high quality, energy efficient and will be low cost to heat and run. Air source heat pumps and low water use fittings also form part of the design, along with electric car charging points.
‘We're thrilled that for the first time in a generation, we can deliver our own affordable housing for local people,’ said Cllr Judy Pearce, leader of South Hams District Council.
‘These eight environmentally friendly homes are being built to help our residents who are struggling to get much-needed homes. The homes are energy efficient and economical to run, which is of course important in terms of both running costs and the environment.
‘This is just one of the avenues we are following in the direct action we promised to tackle the housing crisis. We know there is much still to do and we are committed to finding ways to help to reduce this issue for our residents.
‘The success of these schemes is helped enormously by the great working partnerships with local community groups. By working together we can develop much needed homes which match local housing needs.’