New Development

Bridgwater based SHAL Housing Limited celebrated the completion of its latest affordable housing project last week.

This development of five houses and two flats to rent was bathed in sunshine as Lynda Laird, Chairman of SHAL cut a tape accompanied by the Chairman of the Chilton Polden Parish Council.

The project had its roots in discussions in this Somerset village in 2002. The Parish Council promoted a survey to ascertain housing needs in the village and then, in consultation with the local planning authority and SHAL, identified sites outside the normal planning boundary suitable for development.

One of the sites identified was owned by Meadow Homes (South West) Limited, a local builder, who designed and built the project. Practical completion took place on 28 March and tenants started moving in about one and a half hours later.

With rents ranging from £58.13 to £71.78 a week and with the properties let to people already resident within, or with close connections to, the village, these really are affordable homes for local people.

SHAL Housing is very conscious of affordability issues and one of the reasons for the installation of solar panels and considerable insulation was to reduce running costs. Chief Executive, John Thomson said “One occupier reported to me that in six weeks she had used her immersion heater in her all-electric house only twice. That means the solar panels are producing free hot water nearly continously”.