Development of affordable homes in the north of Plymouth set to begin this Autumn

Plymouth Community Homes (PCH) will be delivering 125 much-needed affordable homes for social rent and shared ownership purchase in the north of the city as full planning permission is awarded by Plymouth City Council.

Plans were submitted in 2024 to create a new community on land in Southway located between Clittaford Road and Southway Drive and work on site is due to commence this Autumn, with the first homes anticipated for completion in late Summer 2026.

The land, which had previously housed a paper-converting mill was purchased in June 2023 by PCH from Vistry Group, the UK’s leading provider of mixed-tenure homes, and the site forms part of a wider area that received planning permission in March 2007 for 490 dwellings.

The plans to deliver 125 new, energy efficient affordable homes in the sought-after residential suburb of Plymouth in partnership with the Council were shaped and informed by a community consultation held in 2023, gathering vital feedback from local people.

The affordable homes will be built by Vistry, where 81 properties will be made available for social rent for local people in housing need, and 44 homes will be offered for shared ownership purchase through SO Living.

The development will include a mixture of detached and semi-detached properties, including 41 two bedroom, 38 three bedroom and 10 four-bedroom homes, as well 21 one-bedroom and 15 two-bedroom apartments consisting of four three story apartment buildings.

All homes will have access to an outside or garden space, and the apartments will have access to green communal spaces, with a blend of traditional and modern architectural elements used throughout the development.

Parking provision will be available, with 221 spaces through a mix of parking courts, parking bays and on-plot parking, including 97 electric vehicle charging points, along with secure and covered cycle parking.

Approved plans mean 34 street trees, 2,751 hedgerow species, and 2,918 shrubs will be planted, and the energy performance of the development will aim to achieve a carbon emissions reduction of 15.84% beyond Building Regulation (2021) levels.

The new community will benefit from established local facilities and schools, as well as excellent transport links.

Nick Jackson, Executive Director of Business Services & Development at Plymouth Community Homes, said: “We are delighted that our plans have now been approved, and work is set to start on site in the coming months to deliver 125 affordable homes in Southway, a really popular area for families with excellent links to the rest of the city.

“Developing homes of a variety of tenures, including a total of 48 three- and four-bedroom homes will help to provide long-term security for local people and families in housing need across the city.

“We are looking forward to working with Vistry on this development, which is being made possible thanks to grant funding from Homes England, in partnership with Plymouth City Council.”

Councillor Chris Penberthy, Cabinet Member for Housing, Communities and Cooperative Development at Plymouth City Council, said: “We are in the midst of a housing crisis and so I welcome any and all new homes in our city.

“This new development, in the heart of a thriving and proud community, will provide a new lease of life for so many families in need of affordable housing.   

“I look forward to visiting site once work is underway and then of course seeing the houses become homes as people begin to move in.”

Fred Thomas, Labour Member of Parliament for Plymouth Moor View, said: "We have a housing crisis in our city. We need to build more homes in the right places, and I am really pleased that Plymouth Community Homes has been given the green light to develop this site.

"More affordable homes for social rent and shared ownership is a good thing for people in our city, and I know that PCH will deliver good quality homes for people in my patch, as they always do."

Peter Sadler, Managing Director of Vistry Devon & Cornwall said: “With our plans approved work can get underway, providing a significant number of high-quality affordable homes for local people. We look forward to working closely with PCH to create a vibrant new community that will benefit the people of Southway for years to come.”

All available homes to rent will be advertised on Devon Home Choice. 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: Andrew Lawrie, Head of Development & Housing Sales at PCH, Ben Winchester, Regional Technical Director at Vistry, Justin Penhallurick, Associate Construction Director at Vistry, Nick Jackson, Executive Director of Business Services & Development at PCH, Lee Cawse, Technical Team Manager at Vistry, Councillor Chris Penberthy, Cabinet Member for Housing, Communities and Cooperative Development at Plymouth City Council and Jonathan Cowie, Chief Executive at PCH (left – right).