New Affordable Homes Completed in Callington: First Residents Move In

Cornwall Council has successfully completed the construction of 15 new affordable homes in Callington, marking a significant milestone for the local community.

The new development at Urban Terrace has seen its first residents move into their homes, replacing older properties that were structurally unsound due to mundic.

High-Quality Housing for Local People

The previous site, which included 10 council-owned and 5 privately owned homes built in the 1950s, required demolition after mundic was discovered, rendering the buildings unsafe. The new homes are designed to be cost-effective and energy-efficient, equipped with renewable energy sources and high levels of insulation.

Olly Monk, Cornwall Council’s portfolio holder for housing and planning, highlighted the benefits of the new properties: “The previous, defective properties have been replaced with good quality affordable houses and flats for social rent to local people. The people who lived in the original council-owned properties have been given first refusal on the new homes.”

A Welcome Return for Displaced Residents

Throughout the redevelopment, Cornwall Housing ensured that displaced residents were provided with alternative subsidised accommodation. Kellie Webb, Cornwall Housing’s Acquisitions Team Leader, expressed pride in the quality of the new homes: “The houses are of a really high quality, and my role has been to ensure they meet those standards.”

Ruth Ayre, Voids and Lettings Manager at Cornwall Housing, shared her joy in re-letting the homes: “This is the most rewarding part of my job – being able to hand over the keys. Especially to tenants who have been waiting to return to their homes. It’s wonderful to see the looks on their faces.”

Modern and Sustainable Living

The new housing scheme includes a mix of 4 one-bedroom flats, 7 two-bedroom houses, and 4 three-bedroom houses, all featuring gardens and parking. The homes are heated with low-carbon air source heat pumps, demonstrating the Council’s commitment to providing safe, secure, and sustainable living spaces.

In addition to the housing, the project includes landscaping and tree planting, as well as bee bricks and bird boxes to enhance local biodiversity. This holistic approach ensures that the development not only addresses housing needs but also contributes to the environment.

Cornwall Council’s Ongoing Commitment

The completion of this project is part of Cornwall Council’s broader efforts to tackle the housing crisis. The Council is focused on:

• Buying existing homes to use as social housing
• Building more council houses for local people to rent or buy
• Supporting housing associations in providing affordable homes
• Ensuring sites deliver affordable housing through the planning process
• Supporting community-led organisations in delivering their own homes
• Offering loans to bring empty homes back into use
• Enabling communities to prevent new builds from being purchased as second homes

The successful completion of the Callington project highlights Cornwall Council’s dedication to improving housing quality and availability for local residents. As new residents settle into their homes, the community looks forward to a brighter, more sustainable future.