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Helping to tackle Somerset's housing challenge

- 11 Jun 15

Bovis Homes site manager Roy Smith (far right) with representatives of Sedgemoor DC, the HCA and Knightstone Housing at the start of the project

Bovis Homes' South West region has taken just 12 months to transform the lives of dozens of Somerset families, as they successfully delivered a unique regeneration scheme in the town of Highbridge.

The £8.5 million development of much-needed affordable properties for the area, was completed to time and budget and saw the house builder teaming up with Sedgemoor District Council, the Homes and Communities Agency (HCA), and Knightstone Housing.

It means the former brownfield site, where the historic local cattle market was once held, is now the venue for an attractive new part of the community made up of 58 new homes - 54 for affordable rent and four for shared ownership.

As well as providing new homes, a significant investment into the local community was also made with funds contributed to the development of children's play areas and a five-year travel plan to help new residents settle into the area.

David Farley, Regional Managing Director, said: "Completing 58 homes within a 12-month period is challenging enough for any team but when that is on a technically difficult site - where every plot has a piled foundation and right in the centre of Highbridge on a busy intersection - it takes a special effort from everyone in that team."

Cllr Andrew Gilling from Sedgemoor District Council said of the development: "Not only will this project provide much needed affordable homes for Burnham and Highbridge, but will also kick-off the physical regeneration of the wider, former hotel-market parcel of land.

"This will have a huge impact on the entry to the town for local people and visitors. The investment flowing into these new homes has been critical in helping to tackle this tricky site."