image credit (Mid Devon District Council)

In a significant boost to the local housing sector, Mid Devon District Council announced the completion of its latest social housing venture, St Andrews House, now fully occupied. This development introduces six new homes into the community, comprising three two-bedroom and three one-bedroom apartments, marking a crucial step in addressing the housing needs of the area.

Ellie and her partner, among the first to move into the newly built residences, expressed their gratitude for the timely completion of the project. “We are extremely grateful and feel very lucky to have got a property at St Andrews House. It is a huge relief that we will not be in temporary housing anymore and we will welcome our baby in our lovely permanent home. We love the flat, it’s so bright and airy and we never want to leave,” Ellie shared, echoing the sentiments of many new tenants who have found a permanent place to call home.

St. Andrews House represents a collaborative effort with ZED PODS, a company specializing in zero-carbon modular homes, to revitalise a previously underutilised council-owned site. The development's innovative design and construction approach earned it the Modern Methods of Construction (MMC) award at the South West’s Constructing Excellence Awards for 2023, underscoring its significance in the regional construction landscape.

Tom Northway, Chairman of Zed Pods, emphasised the project's environmental and community impact. “Working with Zed Pods enables forward-thinking councils like Mid Devon District Council to transform constrained brownfield sites, providing exceptional social rented homes under a full turnkey design and build package,” he stated. This initiative is part of a broader effort by the council to utilize brownfield sites for affordable housing, demonstrated by the upcoming completion of eight units at Shapland Place in Tiverton.

The project has received substantial support from the government, with a further six regeneration sites awarded £660k in funding through the Brownfield Land Release Fund (BLRF2). This initiative aims to create over 50 new homes, addressing the critical need for affordable housing in the district.

Councillor Simon Clist, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Housing and Property Services highlighted the project's role in the council's strategic housing and environmental goals. “Providing more affordable housing for local people was identified as one of the single most important things we could do to improve the quality of life in our community. We’re proud to be addressing these issues, building towards our housing targets and working towards our net-zero by 2030 ambitions,” Clist remarked.

With these developments, Mid Devon District Council is setting a precedent for sustainable and affordable housing projects, signalling a bright future for the district's residents and the environment alike.