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Devon & Cornwall Housing (DCH) and East Devon District Council (EDDC) today announced that the first families are about to move into Stowford Rise in Sidmouth, and will be living beside some unusual local wildlife.
DCH, EDDC, Westbury Partnerships and Westco are building a total of 89 affordable homes, which have been supported by a major investment from the Homes and Communities Agency (HCA). These homes will account for two thirds of the 133 properties being built at Stowford Rise. They are being built to Code 3 for Sustainable Homes, which ensures they conform to high eco-friendly levels.
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When the developers started to work on site they found a male dormouse, and took immediate steps to protect the animal by placing it within retained vegetation out of harm’s way. As a result of the discovery, dormice will now be monitored on site for the next five years in partnership with Encompass Ecology and the Woodland Trust. Fifty specialist nestboxes will also be placed in Core Hill Woods to the north of the site as part of a licence agreed by the partners to protect any dormice living near the homes.
The new DCH residents might also get an exclusive preview of the Stowford badger as its sett has been left where it was found after recently giving birth. The sett will remain undisturbed until the summer to prevent disturbance to mother and cubs.
Workers also found an abundance of reptile life - 278 lizards and slow worms in total - and they have been working with Encompass Ecology to safely relocate the creatures to Fire Beacon Hill Local Nature Reserve.
All these environmental issues were successfully dealt with and now trees are being planted on site to help protect species and diversify the habitats.
The homes will be advertised to local families who are in need of high quality, affordable housing.
EDDC’s Portfolio for Communities, Councillor Jill Elson said: "We have been saying for some time now that we are committed to helping local families stay in the area, and this is yet another scheme which demonstrates that we are true to our word".
Richard Connolly, DCH Group Director of Investment added: "This is a very exciting project for us and it makes the total number of affordable homes we manage in East Devon to 693 over the past 20 years. All through this project, we have involved local people to discuss environmental issues and building progress at monthly get-togethers on the site. We have worked with a variety of environmental groups to ensure we are being responsible and careful. Stowford Rise is a prime example of how partnership working can achieve great results for our community".
The new scheme was supported with an investment of around £4.5m from the HCA, the national housing and regeneration agency.
Lisa Clayton, HCA investment and regeneration manager, said: "This development is more good news for East Devon, and a testament to what can be achieved when local partners work together to address problems and issues in their communities.
"I’ve been very impressed to hear about some of the work that has taken place to support thriving local wildlife – and I am sure the residents who are lucky enough to move into these houses will be too."
