The first residents are preparing to move in to a new eco-friendly, affordable housing scheme which will provide homes for local people on the outskirts of Thirsk. Thirsk and Malton MP, Kevin Hollinrake, has welcomed the scheme during a visit which took place prior to the start of national Rural Housing Week, which this year is themed around levelling up in rural communities.
Broadacres, working with developing partner EQUANS, is building 97 new homes at Sowerby Gateway, with the keys to the first ten properties set to be handed over to people by the end of July. All 97 homes are affordable, energy efficient and will be heated using Air Source Heat Pump (ASHP) technology – marking the first time Broadacres has used renewable energy on a scheme where a gas connection is available.
There will be 61 homes for affordable rent and 38 for shared ownership, providing people with the opportunity to get a foot on the property ladder. All the homes will be allocated to people with a local connection to the area. There is also a mixture of homes to benefit a cross section of people, including one-bedroom flats, two-bedroom bungalows, family homes and adapted bungalows for people with disabilities.
Thirsk and Malton MP, Kevin Hollinrake, was keen to visit the new homes to understand the benefits for the local area and said:
"It’s exciting to see such high quality, energy efficiency homes being built, and which will be offered to local people at affordable levels. The current cost of living is throwing up difficult challenges for people so anything which can ease this burden is welcome and homes for discounted sale and rent with low running costs will certainly help this. I will continue to work with ministers and local residents on the wider issue of affordable housing."
Rural Housing Week, which runs from 4th to 8th July, is an annual campaign showcasing the work housing associations do in rural communities. This year’s main theme is levelling up rural communities.
