78 Families to Benefit as New Stonewater Homes Help Meet Affordable Housing Shortage in Polegate

 

Local families struggling to find low-cost housing in Polegate are benefitting from the opening of 78 affordable Stonewater homes in Shepham Lane. The Stonewater-funded scheme forms part of The Mill, a new Taylor Wimpey development which includes 182 properties for open market sale.

Within a mile of Polegate train station, Stonewater’s new housing community provides a mix of 41 two, three- and four-bedroom houses; 21 one- and two-bedroom apartments, and five two-bedroom apartments over integrated garages, all for affordable rent. Seven two- and three-bedroom houses are also being offered for affordable shared ownership sale with prices starting from £80,000 for a 40% share. A further four two- and three-bedroom shared ownership homes are due for completion next month. Stonewater developed the scheme in partnership with housebuilders Taylor Wimpey and Wealden District Council.

“Increasing the supply of good-quality affordable housing through well-designed and located schemes like this development in Shepham Lane, is vital to the long-term health and sustainability of our small towns,” says Jonathan Layzell, Stonewater’s Executive Director for Development. “We hope our new Stonewater homes at The Mill will provide local people and young families with a great place to live, close to their work, family and friends.”

All the new properties have been designed with energy-saving features such as combi boilers and water-saving devices to help minimise residents’ running costs and carbon emissions. A key aspect of the development is its sensitively designed outdoor spaces which have been created for residents’ recreation, relaxation and enjoyment. These include activity areas for children and a woodland habitat with winding cycleways and footpath links across the development.

Stonewater and Taylor Wimpey have also been working in partnership on a public art installation for the scheme which will feature four solid oak timber totems with hand-crafted animal carvings. These are due to be installed shortly in some of the outdoor community spaces for residents to enjoy.

“These 78 new homes will make a significant contribution to the affordable housing needs of people living in the south of the District,” says Councillor Graham Wells, Cabinet Member for Housing at Wealden District Council. “The range of affordable housing on offer includes 21 one- and two-bedroom apartments helping to meet the demand for homes from single people and young couples.”

The Mill is Stonewater’s second housing development in Polegate. Two years ago, the housing provider opened The Sidings, a community of 33 affordable homes in Lynholm Road.

Jason Stokes, Sales and Marketing Director for Taylor Wimpey South East, says: “The Mill has proved incredibly popular, with all our open market homes now sold out at the development. This comes as no surprise due to its sought-after location in the vibrant town of Polegate, with the seaside resorts of Eastbourne and Brighton within easy reach.

“With properties set amongst beautiful areas of open space and wildlife areas, The Mill is a great place to call home and we’d like to extend a warm welcome to the new residents joining this growing and flourishing community.”

Stonewater currently owns and manages around 233 properties across the Wealden District, providing affordable homes in key centres such as Polegate, Hailsham and Crowborough as well as in rural settlements. Over the past few months, the housing provider has also opened a small development of five affordable homes in Mayfield and a further eight affordable homes in Uckfield.