Affordable housing set for Chiddingstone
Chiddingstone residents looking to buy a property for the first time could benefit from some new affordable housing in the town.
An agreement was reached at Sevenoaks District Council’s Cabinet meeting last Thursday (26 October) to sell a plot of Council owned land for £30,000 to West Kent Housing Association, to be used as part of a bigger site for a potential housing scheme in the area.
The land, located at Richards Close, along with some adjoining land owned by a local trust, is the site for the development of ten affordable homes, comprising three new build homebuy (shared ownership) homes, and seven general needs rent homes, by West Kent Housing Association.
This follows a survey of housing need undertaken by the Action for Rural Communities in Kent, supported by Chiddingstone Parish Council, which demonstrated a need for new homes in the village.
Cllr Brian Ramsay, the Council’s Cabinet member with responsibility for property, says: "Ensuring affordable housing is available across the District is very important, as we all know how difficult it can be to get on the housing ladder. That is why this deal is best all round, it will give the Council funds to spend on services for the public, and will also provide affordable housing for local people."
Mark Leader, Development and New Business Director for West Kent Housing Association, adds: "We are delighted to be able to help the community in bringing forward these much needed homes. For us it has been a really positive experience and just shows what can be achieved when we work together. This is just the beginning of our partnership with this project and we hope that we can move through the construction phase just as smoothly and be able to hand over the keys to local people in just a few months time."
A planning application for the proposed scheme has been approved by the Council and gone to the Government Office for the South East for final approval. A decision is expected to be made shortly.
For further information please contact: Steve Mandaluff on 01732 227162 or e-mail steven.mandaluff@sevenoaks.gov.uk |
