Stafford and Rural Homes celebrates new £2.2 million housing development in Swynnerton

A Stafford Housing Association has started building new affordable homes in Swynnerton which will completely transform the unused site of a former primary school and provide much needed affordable housing in the area.

Senior representatives from Stafford and Rural Homes (SARH), Seddon Construction Ltd, Swynnerton Parish Council and Lord Stafford officially launched construction on the Park View development recently which includes a mix of 19 apartments and bungalows for rent, shared ownership and market sale*.

Stafford and Rural Homes (SARH) were granted planning permission to build the new homes on the rural exception site which would not usually gain planning permission for housing but can be released for affordable housing projects if the plan meets the strict planning requirements and if there is a proven local need.

Working alongside its development partner, Housing Plus and the Parish Council, Stafford and Rural Homes will bring forward the homes predominantly for older people which will encourage downsizing and will release family housing within the Parish to ensure that Swynnerton remains a vibrant and thriving place to live in the future.

The project has been supported with £240,000 of funding from the Homes and Communities Agency and is part of Stafford and Rural Homes larger Development and Strategic Investment plan which will see 300 new homes built by 2018 at a cost of £32 million.

Seddon Construction Ltd has been appointed as the building contractor and the new homes are expected to be completed by spring 2015.

Speaking at the launch event recently, Karen Armitage, Chief Executive at Stafford and Rural Homes said, “This new development is extremely important for Swynnerton as it will help to bring thriving families into the area and provide much needed affordable housing.

“I look forward to working with Seddon Construction Ltd and the Parish Council to bring this development to fruition and to handing over the keys next spring.”

Ian Calder, Regional Manager from Seddon Construction Ltd added, “We are delighted to be working with Stafford and Rural Homes on this development and will work with them to create local employment and training opportunities and to support local suppliers during the build.”

Frank Cheadle from Swynnerton Parish Council added, “The Parish Council has a good relationship with Stafford and Rural Homes and I would like to wish them and Seddon Construction Ltd the best of luck with the development , which will make best use of this derelict area, for the benefit of the village of Swynnerton and its local people.”

Lord Stafford concluded, “I am very keen to bring people into Swynnerton and there is no doubt that more affordable homes are needed for families. I am also delighted that Stafford and Rural Homes have named the homes after local villages which I know will mean a lot to people living locally.”

To find out more about properties available with Stafford and Rural Homes, please visit our website, www.sarh.co.uk

Ends

For more information or to arrange a media interview, please contact Jeanette Bate, PR Executive at Profile Communication by telephone, 01606 888111 or by email – jeanette@profilecommunication.com

Note to editors:-

Please see the attached photograph from the launch. Left to right is:- John Fraser, Stafford  Borough Council, Karen Armitage, Chief Executive at Stafford and Rural Homes, Lord Stafford, Ian Calder, Regional Manager at Seddon Construction Ltd & Cllr Frank Cheadle, Swynnerton Ward, Swynnerton Parish Council.

*Note to editors:-

Renting

Renting means that a tenant makes regular payment to a landlord to live in the property.

Shared Ownership

Shared ownership is the ideal way to get a foot on the property ladder for those that would like to move from renting to ownership but can’t afford to buy a home outright on the open market.

Market Value

Market value is the amount that the property can be sold for on the property market.