£1.1 million Government funding for affordable homes in Weston

Posted on 9 January 2019

South Holland District Council has been allocated £1.1m in funding from Homes England to help deliver 34 affordable homes at Small Drove in Weston.

The money, which was applied for in October 2018, will be used to help build a mixture of one, two and three-bedroom houses and bungalows on a site where currently 10 prefabricated homes sit.

The contract with Homes England will be formally accepted at full council on 23 January, subject to member approval.

South Holland District Council is committed to providing the best quality homes for residents. Small Drove in Weston is earmarked because the current site has prefabricated bungalows which are coming towards the end of their lifespan.  The existing homes make poor use of the land, and the proposals under consideration make better use of the site by increasing the number of new starter homes as well as larger houses for families.

The money from Homes England will fund part of the overall project, with the bulk of the money coming from South Holland District Council's own reserves.

SHDC carried out an open tender to identify a preferred contractor to build the homes. A preferred partner has been identified and the contract will be signed should approval from members be given at full council this month.

Councillor Colin Johnson, Portfolio Holder for Corporate Delivery and Strategic Oversight, welcomed the news and believes the site at Weston will provide good-quality homes for residents in the district.

"This is extremely good news for not only Weston but the district as a whole. We are now partners with Homes England and look forward to seeking further funding opportunities in the future.

"This latest round of funding from Homes England forms part of a wider strategy to build more homes such as those being delivered at Long Sutton and Spalding."

Councillor Christine Lawton, Portfolio Holder for Housing and Health, added: "As a district council, we are committed to delivering good-quality homes for all.

"The council has been working with the nearby school which welcomes the proposals. The new homes will improve the existing space and provide Weston, and the district, with attractive affordable homes fit for the future."