Works are underway to transform former farmland in the Sussex village of Icklesham into 15 new affordable homes for local people.
The homes, located along Icklesham’s Main Road, are due to be ready next summer. All 15 will be prioritised for those with a connection to the village, such as family or work, to ensure the much-needed new homes are available for local people. The majority will be available for social rent, though three will be offered through shared ownership.
To celebrate the start of construction, representatives from development partners Hastoe, Icklesham Parish Community Land Trust (IPCLT), Icklesham Parish Council, and Rother District Council were joined on the site at the end of June by Councillor Terry Byrne, Rother District Council’s portfolio holder for housing and homes.
Councillor Byrne said: “This ground-breaking housing project offers affordable, sustainable homes to the local people of Icklesham.
“The council is delighted to be working in partnership with Rother’s very first community land trust, Icklesham Parish CLT, and Hastoe to deliver the scheme, and we look forward to working with other CLTs in the near future.
“The new homes have been designed to lower energy consumption, helping to reduce fuel poverty in rural areas, and will continue to remain affordable ensuring future generations are able live in their local area.”
Hastoe and Icklesham Parish CLT are working with a number of other local partners to bring the homes to life, including Icklesham Parish Council, architect firm ECE Architecture, contractors Westridge Construction and employer’s agent McCreath Construction Consultants.
Over £3.7 million is being invested into the new Icklesham development, including just under £2.4million from Hastoe as well as additional grant funding of £1 million from Homes England and £297,000 from Rother District Council.
Geoff Foot, chair of the Icklesham Parish CLT, said: “We are proud that our mission to provide affordable homes for Icklesham people has at last come to fruition. We look forward to the successful completion next year.
“We also want to thank all the agencies involved for their help and cooperation, particularly Action in Rural Sussex (AiRS) without whom it might not have been possible.”
Construction for the new homes has begun following the launch of Hastoe’s own building standard for all its new-build homes in spring. With a long track record in providing high-quality homes in rural areas, Hastoe tailors all its developments to fit within their village setting, and ensures that all its new homes meet the same minimum requirements in terms of design, sustainability and size.
Ulrike Maccariello, development director at Hastoe, says: “Our new build standard provides a firm commitment to building beautiful housing in rural areas. Our homes are also highly energy efficient, making them comfortable and affordable for our residents to live in.”
Anyone who’s keen to rent one of the new homes and meets the local connection criteria can apply online when they become available via Rother District Council’s social housing platform. For those interested in shared ownership, please visit Hastoe's shared ownership web page to find out more.
Source: Hastoe Housing Association
