Dartmoor housing scheme wins award for planning excellence

A development of eighteen energy efficient homes in Dartmoor National Park has just been awarded joint first at the Royal Town Planning Institute (SW) Awards for Planning Excellence 2017.

The Stafford Close Housing Scheme in Christow, the first of its kind in a UK National Park, is built to the innovative Passivhaus model which is the leading international low energy design standard for new homes. Fuel poverty is an important issue for occupiers of affordable homes, so ensuring that these houses are well designed is good for the occupiers, good for the National Park and good for the planet.

Judging panel comments: ‘The Panel considers this to be an excellent project. Its principal feature is that it succeeds in delivering urgently needed affordable housing for the local residents in a mix of tenures, 14 affordable rent and 4 discounted market. These housing units have high sustainability and energy Passivhaus credentials.'

‘Clearly the collaborative and partnership working throughout the planning and implementation of this scheme has been key. Important features include the giving of the land at cost by the District Council, the involvement of a locally based Housing Association (Teign Housing), positive input by the Dartmoor Park Planning Authority and the Christow Community Land Trust which acted as a vital link between all the parties involved, being set up to pursue the aims of the project, manage its tenants and reap the long-term benefits to the wider community.’

‘There are clearly a number of features in this submission, in particular the key involvement of the Christow Community Land Trust, that indicate lessons for the provision of affordable housing in rural areas not only in the South West but throughout the country.’

Chris Hart (Acting Head of Planning, Dartmoor National Park) said: ‘Compliments for good planning are hard to earn. To receive an award for planning excellence is a fantastic achievement and reflects well on all those partners who helped to deliver this scheme.  Harnessing local support through the Christow Community Land Trust was a key element in getting locals on board at an early stage.  The result is an eye catching development of highly energy efficient houses – providing affordable housing for local people in the village where they belong.’

This is the first time that a Community Land Trust (CLT) has worked with the National Park Authority to bring forward a development that will provide affordable houses for rent which will be owned by the CLT and leased to and managed in conjunction with Teign Housing Association.

The scheme also demonstrates flexibility and an understanding of the difficult economic circumstances for rural housing providers but is still able to provide 18 affordable units, with conditions to ensure that local people get the first opportunity to rent or purchase with a mechanism built in to ensure a long term opportunity for local affordable housing needs.