Northamptonshire Rural Housing Association (NRHA) is set to further meet the needs of the local community with plans being given the go ahead for Phase 3 of its affordable housing development in Nassington.

The small rural scheme, which has been staunchly supported by the community from its outset, will bring an additional nine much-needed affordable properties to the village.

NRHA will be working in partnership with Northamptonshire housebuilder, Snowdon Homes, to develop the homes specifically for local people.

The scheme will comprise four, two and three-bedroom houses and two, one-bedroom maisonettes for affordable rent, plus three, two and three-bedroom homes for shared ownership.

It will also include three homes for local market sale, with any surpluses generated being used to subsidise the nine affordable properties.

The latest build marks the third phase of the community-led affordable housing provided by NRHA on land off Fenn Close. A total of eight homes were completed in 1994, with a further nine more than a decade later, in 2006.

Dave and Anne Fenn, of Walnut Farm, who have provided the land for all three phases of the development, say there can be no doubt that there is a need for more affordable housing in Nassington.

Mr Fenn said he was pleased to be able to support NRHA in providing more homes for people with a strong connection to the village.

He says:

“We are pleased to be supporting affordable housing in Nassington and feel it’s a great scheme to enable young people to stay in the village they grew up in or to provide opportunities for older people to reduce their accommodation for more manageable lifestyles.

“The planned scheme provides a range of property sizes to suit a mix of people with different needs.”

Work is expected to start on-site later this year, after the development was awarded planning permission by East Northamptonshire Council.

The Fenns will be further supporting the project by providing trees and hedging for the landscaping of the development. The planting scheme will feature a range of species including birch, rowan, whitebeam and cherry trees, which it is hoped will look attractive throughout the year, as well as well as creating an environment where insects and birds can flourish.

Mrs Fenn says:

“We are really pleased to be producing trees for the housing scheme to enhance the finished landscape and are hopeful the planting scheme will provide important physical and mental benefits to the residents.

“There is a long list of good reasons to plant street and garden trees – shade, shelter from prevailing wind and general ambience or interest, but, as an avid tree enthusiast, I think they simply add an extra level of pleasure to your home.”

Alan Burns, Chairman of Nassington Parish Council, comments:

“We are delighted that the planning committee has unanimously approved the application for this project.

“Housing is expensive in these villages, so to ensure Nassington remains a vibrant and vital place, we need to cater for all the housing needs of current and future residents.

“As a village and a parish council, we are very proud of the first two phases of the homes at Fenn Close and confident that phase 3 will prove to be just as popular.”

Northamptonshire Rural Housing Association Company Secretary, Richard Mugglestone, added:

“Affordable properties are vital to the sustainability of our rural communities. The fact that we are returning to the same villages in Northamptonshire shows that there is still a real need for more affordable homes in these areas, with local people being forced to move away.

“We may only be developing small schemes, but they will each make a big difference in these villages, keeping families and communities together.”