Residents move into miners’ cottages with a difference
27th May 2009
New homes just finished at Manor Park in
Writhlington may look like traditional miners’ cottages, but they
hide a very modern secret.
Whilst the five affordable homes to rent at Foxcote Terrace have
all been designed to be in keeping with the neighbouring, stone,
miners’ cottages it’s a scheme that actually meets the latest
environmental standards.
The five new homes, (4 x 2-bed houses and 1 x 1-bed flat) have
been developed by Somer Community Housing Trust in partnership with
Oval Estates of Bath. They have been named Foxcote Terrace after a
historic local colliery in recognition of the areas industrial
past, but it’s the modern day standards that they meet today which
make these homes stand out. All of the properties meet Level 3 of
the Code for Sustainable Homes, a standard set by the
Building Research Establishment. They have solar panels on the
roof, increased insulation, recycling facilities and the ecology of
the scheme has been considered – which all means that they are more
environmentally friendly, energy efficient and cheaper to run.
The properties are being let at affordable rents to people who
were nominated from Homesearch, the Bath and North East Somerset
Council’s waiting list for affordable housing.
The homes are now occupied and two of the first people to move
in were Dawn Barrow and Jason Crook.
Dawn Barrow and her daughter Kayleigh have moved in after
spending three years living with her sister in Midsomer Norton. She
said:
‘After waiting so long for a house, when I
put in a bid for this property on Homesearch everything happened
really quickly. I would have been happy to accept a property
anywhere, but I’m pleased to be in the same area, as I have family
around here. It’s also handy for Norton Radstock College, where I’m
studying for an NVQ in beauty therapy. I’m really pleased to about
the whole house and to have my own place.’
Jason Crook has moved to Writhlington from Twerton in Bath. He
said:
‘This is great for us – my two-year-old
daughter is really excited about moving in! I like the house and
the fact that it’s new and has a garden for Jessica to play in. I’m
looking forward to getting everything in and for my family to come
and see it.’
Funding for the scheme came from the Homes and Communities
Agency (£350,000) and Somer Community Housing Trust, which owns the
properties (£400,000). The total cost was £750,000.
Somer Housing Group is always looking for
development land to meet the continuing, high demand for such
homes. To discuss this further, please contact Hayley Austin,
Development Manager, on 01225 366311.