12 new award-winning homes
In 2013 Broadacres, working with Hambleton District Council and the North York Moors National Park Authority, built 12 affordable homes for local people in the sought after village of Osmotherley.
At the time options were scarce as much of the existing social housing stock had been sold under the Right to Buy scheme, and affordable housing opportunities were limited. The £1.5 million development changed that with the help of grant funding from Homes England, creating a mix of homes for affordable rent and shared ownership. The scheme’s design, location and strong community input earned it a place in 'Inside Housing' magazine’s top 50 UK affordable developments in 2014.
“We were pleased to provide much-needed homes for local people who may otherwise have had to move away,” said Fiona Coleman, former Development Manager at Broadacres.
How the Rural Housing Enabler helped
The Rural Housing Enabler assisted by:
- approaching the parish council and carrying out a Housing Needs Survey
- identifying a suitable site through a call for land
- holding a consultation event with over 200 attendees
- supporting the community to identify suitable applicants
This early engagement meant the homes were designed with local needs in mind and allocated to people with a strong local connection.
Homes for local people
The final development included:
- two: two-bedroom apartments
- five: two-bedroom houses
- five: three-bedroom houses
Nine were let at affordable rents, while three were offered through shared ownership.
From young families to key workers like a district nurse and a National Park employee, the homes allowed people to return to, or stay in, the village they love.
One couple moved from a neighbouring village into a modern apartment equipped with an air source heat pump. This home is far easier to maintain than their previous property.
Another couple, both raised in Osmotherley, had been priced out and forced into costly private rent elsewhere. They were able to return, reconnecting with family and friends.
Immediate benefits
Community involvement went beyond the planning stage, for example:
- the local school ran a competition to name each property - some children later moved into the homes they had named
- a local builder delivered the project and visited the school to run health and safety workshops
The quality of the buildings helped shift attitudes too. Initial resistance to affordable housing gave way to broad support by the time the project was completed.
Long-term impact
The development has:
- helped keep the village school open by attracting young families
- given local people a route onto the housing ladder or into secure, affordable tenancies
- strengthened the community by enabling people to live and work locally
Looking ahead
The Rural Housing Enabler programme continues to work with Broadacres and the North York Moors National Park Authority to identify sites for future affordable housing. The need for this type of housing remains high, with demand still exceeding supply at the time of this development by more than 50%.