All eight homes currently under construction in Curdridge are affordable. This innovative project comes from a collaboration between Hastoe, a non-profit housing association, and local landowner Rob Medway. This collaborative effort directly responds to the region’s immediate housing crisis. It’s given a big push by way of a £652,000 grant from Homes England.
Hastoe is doggedly determined in their pursuit of the development of new homes. These homes would be made available for shared ownership or social rent. This project meets that exception’s “rural exception” criteria. More importantly, it frees up land that is typically inaccessible or otherwise prohibited from being developed upon to be established as social housing projects. According to a report published in July by arc4, only 9% of the homes in our rural communities are social housing. This alarming statistic highlights the critical need for new social housing developments in these regions.
Claire Morgan from Action Hampshire has been instrumental in helping to uncover where there are opportunities for sites as well as needs across local communities. She underscored just how significant this progress is. This will reduce car reliance and give residents linked to Curdridge and the other surrounding villages affordable transport alternatives.
“We need to bust the myth this development in villages means a big estate of shoddy housing and the people offered it will not fit in with the community,” – Claire Morgan.
This smart new development features three brick buildings. Their beautiful black wood cladding guarantees they match the local architectural vernacular perfectly. At the iconic front of the site, paving work is just beginning, a sign of the tremendous progress of this transformational project.
Local farmer and former TTT member Rob Medway donated a former pick-your-own raspberry field to the development, accepting a symbolic £1 for his contribution. Under the rural exception scheme, landowners who donate their land often receive substantially less than the fair market value. This compensation is limited to £10,000 per plot. Medway’s altruistic decision exemplifies his determination to improve the neighborhood he has personally called home for over 30 years.
“Curdridge is missing so much because younger people can’t afford to live here, so it’s so worthwhile,” – Rob Medway.
As Claire Morgan of Urban Simplicity noted, these types of developments typically consist of fewer than ten houses. These projects predominantly serve village residents who, due to limited economic opportunities, might no longer be able to afford to live there. These residents are local teaching assistants, shop workers, and other essential workers. As such, they have unique roles in helping to create and maintain a lively, vibrant community.
“Normally it is no more than 10 homes. Most of the people who would qualify already live in the village but would have to leave without an affordable home – and that’s your teaching assistants, gardeners, people working in the pub or shop,” – Claire Morgan.
Chris Meadows noted that landowners who provide sites for these developments often have a strong desire to give back to their communities.
“It tends to be people who want to give back to their community who offer sites,” – Chris Meadows.
This housing development will accomplish more than just create a roof over someone’s head. It will be a force for good, intentionally uplifting families while fostering broader community interconnectedness.
“Nurturing families will have an incredible effect on the community,” – Rob Medway.
