A development of seven new affordable homes in Shropshire has received its official opening.

The properties have been developed by Shropshire Housing Group, in a partnership with Claverley Parish Council, Shropshire Council and the Homes and Communities Agency and were opened by leader of Shropshire Council, Keith Barrow, and resident, Sam Pollar-May.

All of the new homes boast high energy efficiency and money-saving technology, with five made available for rental and two for shared ownership between the social landlord and people with links to the village who cannot otherwise afford to buy there.

Solar thermal water heating panels, mounted on the roof, are a key component, along with energy efficient construction methods and attention to detail that included orienting the living rooms towards the south, for maximum benefit from the sun's warmth. All of the properties comply with the national standard, the Code for Sustainable Homes Level 3.

-- Advertisement --

Shropshire Housing Group has been praised by Claverley Parish Council for its commitment to consultation with village representatives on key issues including the layout and design of the homes and the building materials selected for their construction. The scheme has the capacity to house 27 people with a local connection.

Director for assets and development at Shropshire Housing Group, Paul Sutton, said: "As a social landlord we have huge responsibilities when we propose building anywhere. We can't just throw up homes to a well-worn template. Our approach is entrenched in consultation with the communities we touch because we must deliver homes that will strengthen those communities and address failures in the housing market that would see young people and families priced out of areas where they perhaps grew up or have existing family. And in doing all of this, we have to have an eye to the sustainability of the homes we build into the future. In many ways, the work of social landlords should be setting the tone for the whole housebuilding industry."

(CD/GK)