Affordable homes bring hope to village

Work has started on building more affordable family homes in a South Norfolk village, bringing hope to families who could not afford to rent or buy at current market rates.

Average house prices in Dickleburgh are high, and renting privately brings uncertainty if landlords decide to sell the property. As in many rural areas, the two combine to squeeze out families who want to stay where they grew up.

This week, Orbit Housing Association - working with South Norfolk Council - began work on seven more affordable homes at Rectory Road, Dickleburgh, adding to the six already occupied on the same site.

Tracy Woods and her son Joshua have been renting in one of those original six since 1993. She grew up in Dickleburgh, and had been trying to move back to be close to her parents. She said:

"Before this house came along, I had no hope of being able to settle in this village and be close to my mother and father. Now, I have an assured tenancy, which means my landlord is not going to sell it from under me. Josh loves the outdoor life, we live close to fields and we feel safe. I have a chance to give Josh what I had, and my parents have a chance to be with their grandson."

Councillor Mandy Smith, who leads for South Norfolk Council on housing, said:

"Affordable housing is our number one priority. We in the Council’s leadership want to see more houses built - this is not about politics, this is about real people without homes.

"We want the most houses for the most people in the shortest time, and we are committed to funding additional affordable housing wherever we can. We are opening doors to those who are locked out of the villages where they grew up."

Brian Edwards, Development Manager at Orbit said:

"We are delighted to be developing affordable housing in Dickleburgh; the seven new homes will contribute to its sustainability as a thriving parish in the future.

"The homes will be managed by Orbit, and applicants for rented housing will be selected from South Norfolk Council’s Housing Register, subject to their status and need.

"By working in partnership, Orbit, the Housing Corporation and South Norfolk Council will be able to provide good quality homes for local families for many years to come.

"We would like to thank the district council and Dickleburgh Parish Council for their tremendous support and encouragement. It enables associations like ours to bring the development of much-needed affordable housing in rural areas to the top of the agenda."

Dickleburgh Parish Council chairman Richard Hill said:

"This initiative is totally vindicated by the Village Appraisal, which shows the need for affordable homes in the mix of housing stock we have here. It also makes it possible for local people to live in the area and be near their family and friends. We are really pleased to have supported this initiative."

The Village Appraisal report will be published in the next two months.

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