Lucky tenants for new social homes near Thame

THE first residents of four new social homes in Great Haseley, near Thame, could be moving in for Christmas.

The two, one-bed flats and one two-bed house at affordable rent and one shared ownership (part-buy, part-rent) three-bed house at Wincey View were developed by Soha Housing on a Rural Exception Site.

These sites allow for land in or adjoining small settlements, which would not normally be used for general market housing, to be developed by a social landlord to build affordable homes. The proviso is that they should accommodate households who are either current residents or have an existing family or employment connection. As the name suggests, these sites are hard to bring to fruition, but when permission is granted, they provide village communities with opportunities to thrive.

Steve Lynch, Director of Property and Development at Soha Housing, said: “We welcome working closely with Parish Councils to demonstrate local housing need and build properties which benefit local communities.”

David Simcox, Chair of Great Haseley Parish Council (pictured front right with members of the Parish Council, Adam Jervis of the builder Feltham Construction and Soha Housing’s Andy Sumser) said: “This project has had a long gestation but the Parish Council has persisted and, with huge help from Community First Oxfordshire, South Oxfordshire District Council and Soha Housing, we are on the verge of welcoming the first occupants. We are looking forward to them contributing to and enjoying all that the village has to offer.”