MORE than 2,000 affordable homes have been built across Somerset over the past three years.

Somerset Council's housing enabling team has been working with delivery partners to provide high quality, energy efficient homes locals can afford.

Efforts are underway to increase the provision for larger homes, fully adapted wheelchair accessible homes and the council is working in partnership within parishes to satisfy identified housing need.

Development highlights include:

  • Cornhill, Wellington – 26 homes for rent and 16 for shared ownership by LiveWest on a brownfield site within the centre of the town. The development includes the repair and conversion of a listed building.
  • Rainbow Way, Minehead – works have started on 54 net zero carbon affordable homes for rent.
  • Neat Lane, Pilton – 20 high quality homes completed for social rent and for local people. It is situated next to an existing rural exceptions site on land gifted by Michael Eavis, but now transferred to the housing provider Guinness Partnership. It features eight one-bed flats, six two-bed houses, four three-bed houses and two two-bed bungalows for older people.

Cllr Federica Smith-Roberts, lead member for communities, housing and culture, said: “We’re pleased that over 2,000 affordable homes have been delivered thanks to the help of our dedicated housing teams.

“We are acutely aware of the desperate need for affordable housing in Somerset and we are working with many delivery partners to ensure this provision increases.

“Ensuring homes are not only affordable but fit for purpose is an important part of this scheme and having homes built with accessible facilities will help our communities live more comfortably and safely.”

Cllr Ros Wyke, lead member for economy, planning and assets, said: “Building over 2,000 affordable homes is a great achievement, especially as housing in many parts of Somerset is constrained by the phosphates issues.

“We recognise the real ongoing need for affordable housing, including social housing, and it is a major planning consideration and requirement of the inherited District Local Plans.

“We’re working closely with developers to ensure their developments include housing that is affordable to rent and purchase so local people can stay in Somerset and make a life here.”