Energy-efficient homes unveiled in south Shropshire

Two energy-efficient, affordable homes – which are the first of their kind in the West Midlands – have been built in south Shropshire.

The modern, semi-detached houses in Bishop’s Castle have been built in line with the Government’s forthcoming Community Right to Build initiative and received £30,000 of investment from Shropshire Council, along with £50,000 through the Homes and Communities Agency (HCA).

The Bishop’s Castle and District Community Land Trust, a cooperative with over 200 shareholders, spearheaded the community-led project to help ensure affordable housing is available to working people, in an area of high house prices and low average wages.

As well as providing much needed housing, the project has supported local businesses that have helped design and build the houses, using locally sourced materials.

Shropshire Council’s Cabinet member for housing, Councillor Malcolm Price, said:

“We have a real need for affordable homes in Shropshire, and this is a great example of people working together to achieve that.”

Local Shropshire Councillor for Bishop’s Castle, Peter Phillips, added:

“I take my hat off to the determination and perseverance of the Community Land Trust.  I also applaud the partnership working evidenced here, including that by Shropshire Council.”

A key part of the work has been to ensure that the homes meet the Government’s Code for Sustainable Homes.  They have triple glazed windows, a heat recovery system, high levels of Warmcel insulation, and rainwater harvesting.

Miranda Ashwell, Chair of the Trust, said:

“We are extremely proud that these are the first Community Land Trust homes in the West Midlands.  This has been a brilliant community-led project.  It’s really great to see the homes finished and ready for our first tenants to move in.  The response locally has been very positive.”

The project has been a model of a positive partnership, with the Trust working with the Bishop’s Castle Town Council, with significant grant support from Shropshire Council, the HCA, and the Ecology Building Society, who have made their first such loan to a Community Land Trust.

The Trust is one of an increasing number of mutually-owned Community Land Trusts across the UK, which are creating homes and land which are held in trust by shareholders for the long-term benefit of their community, and the local economy.

Local MP, and shareholder in the co-operative, Philip Dunne, said:

“I absolutely support this scheme.  Local communities need to work together to help themselves and invest in the future.”