Plymouth Community Homes (PCH) plans to build 125 much-needed new affordable homes in Plymouth after securing a large site in the north of the city.
A new community will be created on land in Southway which has previously housed a paper-converting mill. The land, located between Clittaford Road and Southway Drive, has been purchased by PCH from Countryside Partnerships Ltd for £3,150,000.
The development should deliver a mix of 1 & 2 bedroom apartments, and 2, 3 & 4 bedroom homes. Of these, 74 properties will be made available for social rent for local people in housing need, and 49 homes will be offered for shared ownership purchase through the organisation’s sales brand SO Living.
The new homes will be built with high levels of insulation and energy efficiency which will result in lower running costs and reduced energy bills for residents, and the scheme also plans to include accessible and wheelchair standard homes.
PCH is the city’s largest social landlord, managing 16,000 homes for 35,000 people in and around Plymouth, as well as developing new homes for social rent and shared ownership purchase to help people get onto the housing ladder.
PCH is investing in the project which will cost over £28m, with plans to seek funding support from Homes England for the building of the new affordable homes.
Countryside Partnerships Ltd (previously known as Vistry) is an existing contract partner of PCH, working previously on two popular housing schemes located off Skerries Road and Bampflyde Road in Southway creating a total of 162 affordable homes, as well as continuing to work with PCH on the development of 125 homes on the final phase of the 10-year regeneration of North Prospect.
The purchase of the site in Southway completed on 16 June 2023, and will enable the delivery of affordable housing in a sought-after residential suburb of Plymouth. The land-led development will offer community facilities and local schools, as well as excellent transport links.
Nick Jackson, Director of Business Services and Development at Plymouth Community Homes, said: “We are delighted to have completed on the purchase of this large site in Southway thanks to our positive, ongoing partnership with Countryside Partnership.
“Our mission at PCH is “A high-quality affordable home for everyone” and this land purchase will enable us to progress with the delivery of 125 new affordable homes for rent and shared ownership to help meet housing need in Plymouth.
“Southway is a really popular area for families, with excellent links to the centre of Plymouth as well as a number of good local schools, and our plans for this site include some large 3 and 4 bedroom houses which will help provide long-term security for local families in housing need.
“It will be rewarding to give this site a new lease of life and create a vibrant new community in the area.”
Peter Sadler, Managing Director at Countryside Partnerships South West, said: “We’re pleased to once again be able to work in partnership with Plymouth Community Homes and to enable the delivery of 125 new affordable homes in Southway. The new development will make a significant contribution to the city’s affordable housing supply, giving local people a fantastic opportunity to rent or buy a new home.”
Photo note: The image shows Neil Rodgers, Land Director at Countryside Partnerships, Craig Francis, Development Manager at PCH, Nick Jackson, Director of Buisness Services and Development at PCH, Andrew Lawrie, Head of Development at PCH and Sarah Franklin, pre commencement commercial manager at Countryside Partnerships (left to right).
