...Created By Quality Housebuilding
Conservative Party chairman Grant Shapps (who is also a cabinet member as Minister without Portfolio), underscored housebuilding’s vital role in boosting the UK economy with jobs, homes and apprenticeships, when he visited Linden Homes’ The View development in Wadebridge, Cornwall on Thursday April 12th.
After the tour, Mr Shapps emphasised the unique capacity of new homes to encourage local and national investment.
Planning consent for The View development was secured at a local level after a comprehensive community engagement programme undertaken by Linden Homes, whereby residents and other key stakeholders identified the need for good quality new homes.
24 of the new 48 homes being constructed are for local affordable housing provider, Aster.
The £5.5 million scheme has also supported over 70 jobs, including the creation of 44 jobs on-site. Ninety per cent of the contractors are from Cornwall and Devon, and seven apprentices have learned their crafts there.
“I very much enjoyed my site visit to The View, Wadebridge, with our prospective parliamentary candidate for North Cornwall, Scott Mann,” said Mr Shapps.
“As former housing minister, I know just how important housebuilding is for our economic recovery in North Cornwall and indeed nationally, through the homes that are provided and the jobs and apprenticeships which are created.
“The Coalition Government will continue to put in place measures like the Help to Buy scheme and reforms to the planning system to support home ownership, new development and affordable housing.”
Another larger-scale demonstration of where Linden Homes is driving investment into the local economy is the company’s Ogwell Brook scheme in Newton Abbot, where 186 homes are being delivered.
The trainees at The View are part of the Linden Homes Apprenticeship Academy, a £500,000 national initiative aiming to tackle the construction skills gap by recruiting 500 young people over two-three years to be the UK’s builders and managers of the future.
Linden Homes is the national housebuilding arm of Galliford Try Plc, whose chief executive, Greg Fitzgerald, said of Mr Shapps’ visit: “It was very encouraging to have a cabinet minister visit The View to see for himself the significant benefit that housebuilding delivers into local communities. Our new homes are bringing families the benefits not just of housing they can afford but also jobs and apprenticeships. These are vital long-term ingredients to continue to generate fresh impetus to the local economy – but also as part of a wider effort to kickstart a national revitalisation.
“We are supportive of, and have already started to see the benefits that Help to Buy is bringing to the market, and it’s potential to not only increase house sales, but as importantly, boost new housing starts.
“Future Building Regulations are crucial to maintaining this critical momentum. That is why at Linden Homes, the team is promoting the ‘Alternative Allowable Solution’ to complement the Government’s zero carbon agenda. This initiative delivers on the objectives of the agenda but reducing the risk of undermining viability of new housing projects.
“We think we can help the current housing stock make its contribution to meeting the UK’s carbon reduction and sustainability targets. This could be made possible through affordable upgrades to the existing housing stock that make up the vast proportion of homes, paid for by a levy on new homes.
“It’s a simple solution that will deliver an immediate benefit, targeting those in fuel poverty and delivering on government targets, whilst investing further in local jobs and new homes.”
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For further information, contact Tracy Mannion or Claire McCowan on 01962 893893.
References to “we”, “us” or “our” are to the part of the Vistry Group (including Linden Homes, Bovis Homes, Countryside Homes, Drew Smith, Vistry Ventures or one of Vistry’s joint venture companies) from which you are intending to purchase a new home. References to "you” and “your” are to the prospective buyer or buyers of a new home from us.
All images are used for illustrative purposes only and are representative only. They may not be the same as the actual home you purchase and the specification may differ. Images may be of a slightly different model of home and may include optional upgrades and extras which involve additional cost. Individual features such as windows, brick, carpets, paint and other material colours may vary and also the specification of fittings may vary. Any furnishings and furniture are not included in any sale. Please check with our sales consultants for details of the exact specifications available at the development(s) for each type of home and the associated prices.
