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Association Acheives Excellent With Rural Housing

Posted: 02/11/2006

Hastoe Housing Association has recently completed a new build scheme in Kenton, Devon designed to achieve an EcoHomes excellent rating. The Sunnybank scheme is a rural development consisting of two, 3 bedroom/5 person houses. EcoHomes excellent ratings in rural housing have proven a real challenge for social housing providers. 

Accordingly, Hastoe designed the houses to benefit the environment and the community as a whole. Energy efficiency, “A” rated timber frame construction, solar panels and ecological enhancement, were among the key features employed to achieve the excellent rating. The houses have since been leased to two local families.

The Association has a West Country Regional Committee which includes a number of residents. The committee examines ways in which the team can use the resources of Hastoe, Wyvern and the Bernard Herridge Charity to address economic, social and environmental issues in the West Country - as well as providing low cost housing.

Hastoe's schemes in the West Country are mainly houses in rural areas. A typical village scheme consists of four 2 bedroom and two 3 bedroom houses. The size of the scheme varies according to the needs of the village. The schemes are set up to help local people and priority for houses usually goes to people with a strong connection to the village itself, eg by birth and upbringing, education or employment.

Family connections with the village are also taken into consideration. Because the village schemes are small, vacancies only rarely occur. When a property does become vacanct, Hastoe consults with the Parish Council and the District Council to identify potential applicants.

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