Rare opportunity to rent or buy affordable homes in new Loxwood development

Residents in the Chichester District are being offered a rare opportunity to secure an affordable new home in Loxwood, West Sussex.

Housing provider Stonewater has built 50 high-quality, affordable and energy efficient houses and flats at Pond Copse Lane, off Guildford Road, in the rural village of Loxwood.

It is anticipated that the homes will be available from September, either for rent, or to buy through one of the government’s home ownership schemes and interested residents are encouraged to register their interest early.

Of these, 30 are affordable rental properties that will be allocated through the council’s housing register. Two one-bedroom flats, four two-bedroom flats, 14 two-bedroom houses, seven three-bedroom houses and three four-bedroom houses are available and applicants with a local connection to the Parish of Loxwood will be given priority for affordable rental properties.

Thirteen three-bedroom houses are also available for shared ownership. Shared ownership is a scheme which offers aspiring homeowners the chance to buy a share of their home and pay subsidised rent on the remaining share. There is the option to buy a larger share later – also known as staircasing – and the rent will reduce proportionally. Through staircasing, residents can eventually own all of their home.

In addition, seven rent to buy properties are available, including four two-bedroom houses, one three-bedroom house and two four-bedroom houses. Rent to buy is a government scheme designed to ease the transition from renting to buying a home by providing subsidised rent. It provides working households with the opportunity to save for a deposit to go on and purchase a house in the future.

“Helping people to get on the housing ladder and access affordable housing is a top priority for us,” says Councillor Alan Sutton, Cabinet Member for Housing, Communications, Licensing and Events at Chichester District Council.

“This new development will provide much needed affordable housing and we want to make sure that local people are aware of this one-off opportunity to live in the beautiful village of Loxwood.

“Residents wanting to apply for the rental properties must first sign up to the council’s housing register before they can apply for a home to rent. Once accepted, applicants will be able to browse and bid for housing, such as the homes at Loxwood. For residents wanting to buy a home the government offers a range of options, including the help to buy shared ownership scheme which helps people get onto the property ladder.”

The Pond Copse Lane development has been built with a range of energy efficiency innovations. The homes are fitted with energy-efficient air-source heat pumps which will help cut residents’ energy bills and reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 37 per cent.

The completed development will also feature landscaped communal open space, a play area and wildlife friendly features such as bat boxes, martin nest boxes and swift nest cups.

Pond Copse Lane is also one of five developments that will feature public art designed by the winners of its first national competition – the George Blunden Public Art Prize – for new and existing residents to enjoy.

The picturesque village of Loxwood is a thriving local community which offers a range of shops and amenities as well as a local primary school. The nearest train station is located six miles away in Billingshurst and there is a good bus service running regularly between the neighbouring towns and villages. The village of Cranleigh and towns Haslemere, Horsham and Guildford are within easy reach.

Marie Riordan, Director of Development (South and Central) at Stonewater, added: “We’re proud to be providing these much-needed energy efficient affordable homes at Pond Copse Lane. This new development is giving local people, whether they are aspiring homeowners or individuals and families looking for an affordable rented flat or house, an opportunity to have a place that they can call home.”

For further information on buying a home in the Pond Copse development and to register interest please contact:

Debbie Mancey, Phillip Mann Estate Agent

Tel: 01273 517517 Email: newhaven@phillipmann.com

To apply for the council’s housing register or to find housing to buy please visit:

www.chichester.gov.uk/findingahome

For government information about owning your own home visit:

www.ownyourhome.gov.uk/

Notice Date: 14/06/2022