Plymouth Community Homes (PCH) is delivering 16 energy-efficient homes in Darite, Cornwall, responding directly to local housing need and helping to sustain the future of a small rural community. The new homes will provide a mix of one-, two-, three-and four-bedroom houses, flats and bungalows for social rent and shared ownership, enabling local people to stay within the area and helping maintain a balanced, thriving village population.
Built by local contractor Classic Builders (South West) Ltd, the homes sit on a small plot of land outside the usual planning local development boundary. The site was brought forward to meet local housing need, reflecting the growing challenge rural communities face in retaining residents in the face of house price rises and limited affordable options.
Without developments like this, villages such as Darite risk losing younger families and key workers, placing pressure on schools, local services and community cohesion. This scheme has been designed to directly address that challenge by prioritising homes for those with a strong local connection.
Of the 16 homes, 11 will be available for social rent and five homes will be made available for shared ownership purchase through our sales brand, SO Living. The homes for social rent will be prioritised to those with a local connection to the parish of St Cleer before extending to neighbouring parishes including Dobwalls, St Neot, Altarnun, North Hill, Linkinhorne, St Ives, Pensilva and Menheniot, ensuring those with established ties to the area have the opportunity to remain. 91 households are currently on Cornwall Council’s social housing register with a local connection to St Cleer.
The development builds on PCH’s existing presence in the wider Liskeard area, including Charter Walk, Tregay and Trevethan Meadows, strengthening its long-term investment in Cornwall and adding to the over 16,000 homes which PCH manages in Devon and Cornwall.
Funding for the scheme has been secured through Cornwall Council’s Funded Programme 4 (CCFP4) and Homes England’s Social Continuous Market Engagement (CME) funding programme, the first PCH grant that has been approved through this new programme.
Beyond housing delivery, the project is also supporting local learning and skills. Earlier this month, pupils from Darite Primary Academy visited the site, gaining hands on experience on construction, site safety and career opportunities, helping to connect the development to the next generation living in the village.
Tina Olver, Development Manager at PCH, said: “We’re pleased to be delivering more affordable homes in a small community in Cornwall. But this development is about much more than delivering homes. It’s about keeping communities like Darite viable for the long term. Rural villages are under real pressure from a lack of affordable housing, so schemes like this are essential to make sure local people can continue to live, work and raise families here.
“We are working closely with partners, including Classic Builders Ltd to bring a site that directly responds to local need, and it’s fantastic to see the positive impact already, from supporting the local school to creating high-quality, energy efficient homes that we hope the community will be proud to live in.”
Darren Wills, Director at Classic Builders Ltd, added: “Classic Builders are immensely proud to stand alongside Plymouth Community Homes in bringing the new development of affordable homes in Darite to life.
“We deeply value our long-standing partnership with PCH and are honoured by their continued trust. Together, we are committed to delivering high-quality, accessible homes that will leave a lasting legacy for Cornwall and its communities.”
Councillor Peter La Broy, Cornwall Council cabinet member for housing, said: “Many people are living in either unsuitable or temporary accommodation across Cornwall and it’s clear we need more affordable homes in a variety of tenures to suit the needs of our residents.
“While there is no quick fix to Cornwall’s housing crisis, we are committed to doing what we can to support building more affordable homes in the areas where they are most needed. Darite is a great example of how our partnerships with registered providers such as Plymouth Community Homes is making a difference for our residents.”
Shahi Islam, Director of Affordable Housing Grants at Homes England, said: “As the government’s housing and regeneration agency, increasing the supply of quality affordable homes remains one of our key objectives and we are committed to supporting Plymouth Community Homes to achieve its ambitions.
“This development in Darite is a prime example of how we work collaboratively with partners to achieve our mission to build much needed new communities that people can be proud to call home.”
PCH is also working with Classic Builders on the £33.5m, eco-friendly community of affordable homes being delivered in Plymouth city centre and has previously worked with them on the Briar Tor development in Yelverton and the development of eight apartments for social rent on the former North Prospect Library site in Plymouth.
The first homes which are to be offered for social rent will be available from Summer 2026.
All available homes to rent in Cornwall are advertised on Cornwall Homechoice, a partnership of local social landlords. To bid for a property or to be considered for a tenancy, registration will need to be completed using their online application form.
Photo caption: Darren Wills, Director at Classic Builders Ltd, Gary Walters, Clerk of Works at Plymouth Community Homes, Maddy Tucker, Assistant Project Manager at Plymouth Community Homes, Chris Arkins, Contracts Manager at Classic Builders Ltd, Tina Olver, Development Manager at Plymouth Community Homes, Andy Gargett, Site Manager and Victoria Thornton, Employers Agent at Gates (left-right).
