I’ve been with Homes and Communities Agency Chairman Robert Napier in Wiltshire today, visiting two distinct housing projects.
We called at the fantastic Kingston Mills in Bradford-on-Avon, where HCA investment has unlocked the stalled transformation of an iconic former textile factory into 170 new homes, retail and office space.
Nearby in Codford, Mr Napier also officially opened six new homes developed by Wiltshire Rural Housing Association, with support from the HCA. We met a young couple who move into their new home tomorrow, just in time for the birth of their son (who is due on Saturday).
The visit also highlighted in stark terms how much the affordable housing provided by these developments is needed.
Wiltshire councillor Howard Greenman said there are 12,500 people on the county’s housing waiting list, adding that local house prices are more than 11 times the average local yearly wage. It’s sobering to hear such statistics, on a day intended to celebrate a great achievement in Codford. But we need many more schemes like this in Wiltshire and across the South West.
Event organisers also considered local wildlife, by getting Mr Napier to open a ‘hedgehog house’ which will take pride of place in a nature reserve behind the new development.
‘Creature comforts’, right there.