A new Rentplus and Tamar Housing development in Puriton, offering much needed rent-to-buy homes, has officially opened its doors.
Coln Residential has developed the site at Puriton Gate where 24 much needed affordable Rentplus houses will be allocated for local residents to rent-to-buy, said the Chief Executive of Rentplus, Steve Collins.
Mr Collins, said: “This is our first significant Rentplus development in Somerset providing much needed rent-to-buy homes for local people. Our unique model of high-quality affordable housing in partnership with Tamar Housing will enhance and sustain a vibrant community in Puriton. We believe this rent to buy model is the way forward for other projects across Somerset.”
The scheme saw 60 new homes in Puriton granted planning permission back in the summer of 2016 by Sedgemoor District Council, following its own survey that affordable housing in the area was badly needed. It stipulated that any new development must include affordable houses for local families.
Of these, 24 properties are being made available for affordable rent-to-buy: 5 three-bedroom homes, and 19 two-bedroom properties, all with enclosed rear gardens and allocated parking.
Sedgemoor District Council Leader, Cllr Duncan McGinty, hailed the new development at Puriton Gate, saying: “The council is delighted to be associated with this housing project, which is helping the authority to realise its ambitious plans to accelerate the pace of home building across the district.
“We have every confidence that Coln Residential are building high quality attractive homes, which includes 24 new affordable homes equating to 40% of the overall development,” he added.
“Not only are we providing an impressive number of affordable homes, but we are excited to be piloting the Rentplus affordable rent to buy housing tenure. We know many people aspire to buy their home, but often cannot because of not having the deposit.
“We believe the Rentplus product will help people faced with this obstacle to eventually realise their hope of buying somewhere at a price they can afford, in an attractive locality. We anticipate high demand for these new homes,” said Cllr McGinty.
Julie Barnett, Chief Executive of Tamar Housing, said: “Tamar Housing is delighted to offer our first Somerset affordable rent-to-buy homes as part of this quality housing development. The Rentplus homes will give local people the chance to move into a new home at an affordable rent with the opportunity to purchase their home in the future with the help of a gifted deposit.”
Ian Liddell-Grainger, the Member of Parliament for Bridgwater and West Somerset, said: “Puriton is a wonderful village and we’re very pleased with this latest development by Rentplus and its partner Tamar Housing – in delivering new rent-to-buy homes in a smashing part of Somerset.”
“We are the fastest growing industrial centre in the South West with one of Europe’s biggest developments at Hinkley Point, and the Robert Wiseman Dairies delivering milk across the South West, Wales, and Midlands.
“So, having affordable rent-to-buy homes at this new scheme in Puriton and working in partnership with local housing associations is superb.
“The Rentplus model is unique, and I would like to see more rent-to-buy projects across Somerset. I am looking forward in visiting the Puriton housing development very soon”, said Mr Liddell-Grainger.