Hastoe Housing Association has stepped in to save six new, high-quality, rural affordable homes from market sale. The homes built by Stevens Homes Ltd are part of a larger development intended for market sale.

Although the six homes had been earmarked for affordable housing at the planning stage, the original housing association that was going to take on the homes under a Section 106 agreement was not able to proceed due to market conditions.

Hastoe stepped in to save the homes from market sale and will now be able to offer the local community, in the rural village of Sheepwash in Devon, 4 much needed homes for social rent and 2 for shared ownership.

The completed homes were officially handed over to Hastoe on Tuesday 2 July during Rural Housing Week (1-5 July). All homes have solar panels installed to reduce energy costs, and will have shared use of a children’s playpark on the site. Residents are due to move in later this month.

Mike Bailey, Director of Stevens Homes Ltd, said: “Stevens Homes are delighted to work together with Hastoe to deliver these six affordable homes on our development at Sheepwash and are sure that the new occupiers will enjoy their new homes in this peaceful rural environment.”

Ulrike Maccariello, Hastoe’s Development Director, said: “Rural affordable housing allows local people to stay in their communities, where they grew up and can be close to family and friends. All too often local people are priced out of rural areas that are seen as highly-desirable places to live. Hastoe is thrilled to be able to ensure these homes will be lived in by local people who are in real need of housing in the area.”