First affordable homes handover at Wiltshire site

The builder behind the Highfield Gardens development in Hilperton, on the outskirts of Trowbridge, has handed over the first tranche of properties to a local housing association.

Persimmon Homes Wessex have formally transferred six high-quality properties to Selwood Housing on the site, which will be home to 68 households when complete.

The handover was marked on-site alongside Wiltshire Council’s Cabinet Member for Strategic Planning, Development Management, and Housing, Cllr Adrian Foster.

Of the total 20 homes going to Selwood Housing on the site off Elizabeth Way, 12 will be for affordable rent, while eight will be for shared ownership.

All 68 properties will be equipped with solar panels and electric vehicle charging points, while the site also includes public open space, a children's play area, and a cycling link connecting Middle Lane with Hilperton Road.

Over £1m in Section 106 contributions will support the expansion of local schools, off-site highways improvements, off-site biodiversity enhancement, and upgrading of facilities at Hilperton Village Hall, including the retention of a public footpath through the development.

Two, three, and four-bed homes are available for purchase from £289,995 at Highfield Gardens.

Seb Spiller – Managing Director of Persimmon Homes Wessex – said:

“Persimmon is determined to leave a positive community legacy where we build, and one key element of our offering is the transfer of quality new homes to local housing association partners.

“I am pleased to have transferred the first batch of our high-quality homes designated for housing need in the area, and we hope this significant community contribution will help alleviate pressure on the local housing list.

“We are pleased to partner with Selwood Housing to deliver this increase in provision for the people of Hilperton and Trowbridge as we continue to make progress on this popular site delivering quality homes for local people.”

Paul Walsh – Group Development Director for Selwood Housing – added:

“Selwood Housing is happy to work with partners, like Persimmon, who are helping to deliver mixed and well-designed communities that cater for a range of housing needs.

“The 20 affordable homes that we are delivering on this site are a great example of what collaboration can achieve on a development site, the two companies working together for the wider benefit of the community in delivering the affordable homes.

“We are committed to supporting communities and we hope these new, local affordable homes have all the elements needed to help a mixed community thrive.”

Cllr Adrian Foster, Cabinet Member for Strategic Planning, Development Management, and Housing, commented:

“I would like to thank Persimmon and Selwood Housing for inviting me to mark the first handovers of affordable homes at Highfield Gardens, demonstrating that we can deliver high-quality community assets by working together.

“The purchase of these homes will make such a difference to so many families in Wiltshire, and I welcome any and all additions to our county’s social and affordable housing stock and give my best wishes to the residents who will shortly be moving into their new homes.”