Date published: 21 July 2021
Leading housing provider Stonewater developed Park Gardens on land which was previously home to Park Junior School.
The new 24-home scheme has transformed the run-down plot after the old Park Junior buildings fell derelict following the school’s move to the former Chilton Cantelo School, near Ilchester, in 2018.
Supported by £1 million Homes England funding, Park Gardens is a mix of flats and houses for Affordable Rent and Shared Ownership.
The scheme features a restored decorative wrought iron gate, private gardens, communal areas and parking for residents.
Stonewater worked in partnership with South Somerset District Council, building contractors Winsley White Ltd, surveyors Taylor Lewis and architects Boon Brown on the development.
Park Gardens comprises six two-bedroom flats, six two-bedroom and two three-bedroom houses for Affordable Rent, along with four two-bedroom and six three-bedroom houses for Shared Ownership.
Matt Crucefix, Stonewater’s Director of Development (South and West), said: “We are delighted to have completed building work on Park Gardens and look forward to welcoming our new residents.
“The scheme not only provides desperately needed affordable homes for local people, it has also transformed this previously run-down site, breathing new life into the community.
“With regional house prices out of reach for many families in the area, we aim to provide affordable opportunities for people to live in a high-quality home – and, through Shared Ownership, potentially realise their dream of homeownership.”
Cllr Val Keitch, Leader of South Somerset District Council and portfolio holder for Housing: “The Park Gardens development brings many benefits, but most importantly, it helps to provide affordable homes to local people.
“Delivering homes on this former derelict site has enabled Stonewater to create a community where people will want to live and thrive and as a District Council, we support this type of development.”
Sam Winsley, Director at Winsley White, said: “It shows the strength of our working relationship with Stonewater that we were all able to pull together and get this site completed during unprecedented times. The pandemic bought new challenges for us all. We are very proud of our part in the development and hope that the new families enjoy their new homes.”