[N]ew affordable homes, on the Russell Armer Homes’ OverSands View development in Grange-over-Sands gained the seal of approval of Tim Farron, MP for Westmorland and Lonsdale, Peter Endsor, Mayor of Grange-over-Sands, and Jonathon Brook, Councillor for Housing and Innovation at South Lakeland District Council, on Friday January 12.
Russell Armer Homes’ team, including managing director, Martyn Nicholson, showcased some of the 10 affordable homes in Allithwaite Road, with the help of both new residents and Cath Purdy, Chief Executive of South Lakes Housing.
The special visitors heard how the properties have enabled homeowners and tenants to have an energy-efficient property priced within their means and built to keep energy bills low. All have a timber construction, water-efficient bathrooms, ‘A-rated’ UPVC double-glazed windows, an ‘A-rated’ gas-condensing combination central heating boiler and thermostatic radiator valves.
The homes range in price from £132,000 to £134,000 and are on a development that also comprises three and four-bedroom open market homes, the last of which is still available for purchase.
These prices enable local people to get a foot on the property ladder, or rent at a price that is affordable.
Residents also have a very special eco-friendly feature in their gardens, as the homes also have hedgehog highways. Specially cut holes in the fencing allow hedgehogs to move between gardens, travelling the 10-30 hectares per night that’s required, if they are to find enough food. Russell Armer Homes was the first homebuilder in the UK to incorporate this feature into its properties.
Russell Armer Homes’ managing director, Martyn Nicholson, says: “Cath Purdy and I were delighted to show our special guests around the affordable homes at OverSands View, to help dispel the myths about this type of property. Our hope is that the site will highlight what can be achieved by the private sector in the South Lakes., as it is a great example of partnership working between ourselves, the local housing association and SLDC.”
Tim Farron said: “It was great to visit the new affordable homes and meet the delighted new residents who can’t wait to get moved in. This is a fantastic development, offering much needed housing for local people.
“Successive studies and reports show that hundreds of families who have grown up in this area are desperately in need of affordable housing of a decent standard.
“I’m delighted that South Lakeland District Council has prioritised the building of hundreds of affordable homes to meet this need in the face of opposition from the Conservatives.
“Every week I have constituents contact me who either live in cramped or sub-standard housing, or are being forced to move away from the area because of high house prices.
“We must keep working and campaigning to make sure every family has a decent affordable home to live in.”
