Homes to keep the heart in rural communities
Redrow is providing affordable homes for local people at one of its most popular rural developments, Canal View in Garstang.
The award-winning builder is offering a 20% discount for those fitting a certain criteria, to ensure that home really is ‘where the heart is’ for people with strong links to the Garstang area.
It follows a report last year which highlighted the problem of housing in rural areas and fears that homes were often priced out of the reach of many of those living there.
A report by the Campaign to Protect Rural England - 'A Living Countryside' – said housing had become increasingly unaffordable to people and one of the main problems facing rural communities.
And it added: “Affordable housing is crucial to the vitality and sustainability of the countryside. The closure of rural services (such as post offices and pubs) and the skewed population structure, due to falling numbers of young people, is linked strongly to the ability of people to be able to afford a home.”
It echoes a 2010 report by Wyre Borough Council into its housing needs, which discovered 'a considerable need' for affordable housing, especially across the rural parishes of Wyre Borough.
Claire Jarvis, sales director for Redrow Homes (Lancashire), said: “Redrow is not just concerned about the houses it builds but the communities it builds them in.
“We look for ways to invest in and improve life for people in the areas in which we develop and this is clearly one very important way in which we can help.”
The 20% discount for local people applies to 11 two-bedroom Tavy style homes within the Redrow development, alongside the homebuilder’s popular three and four-bedroom Heritage Collection family homes. The discounted price is from £135,995 for a mid-terrace and from £144,995 for an end-terrace.
Claire added: “These properties can only be purchased by individuals or families who have resided within the parishes of Barnacre with Bonds, Garstang, Catterall, Kirkland or Nateby for six of the last 12 months, or three of the last five years, or have a family member living in those areas; or they must have employment in one of those areas.
“Buyers must have a combined household income below £60,000 and be a first-time buyer, or have previously owned a home but find themselves now unable to do so on the open market.
“Unlike schemes like Help to Buy, the home owner never has to pay back the 20%. All we ask is that they pass on the saving to the new owner when they come to resell. By ensuring that these properties can only ever be resold at 80% of market value they will remain affordable for future generations of home owners too.”
For more information on the Tavy properties at Canal View, The Toppings, in Garstang, visit the development which is open daily between 10am-5.30pm. Alternatively see redrow.co.uk/canalview.
