Construction has started on 10 new affordable homes in the village of Kings Cliffe, North Northamptonshire, intended to help meet local housing need in this rural community.
Work began in early April, but partners came together on site this month to officially mark the start of the development. A Housing Needs Survey carried out in 2016 identified a need for one- and two-bedroom homes for younger and older residents, to help ensure people can afford to remain living in Kings Cliffe.
The development will provide eight two- bedroom houses and two one- bedroom maisonettes, all available for social rent. The new homes are expected to be ready for residents to move into in May 2027.
The homes will be owned by housing association EMH, and managed by Northamptonshire Rural Housing Association (NRHA) once completed. The latter has been closely involved in the scheme since its earliest stages, working alongside partners to help shape a development that responds to local need.
The scheme has been delivered through strong partnership working between NRHA, EMH, Kings Cliffe Parish Council, North Northamptonshire Council, Snowdon Homes, CPC Project Services and YMD Boon architects, with £970,000 funding provided by Homes England as part of its strategic partnership with EMH.
Councillor Brian Benneyworth, executive member for housing, Health and leisure at North Northamptonshire Council, said: “Supporting the delivery of affordable homes in rural villages like Kings Cliffe is an important part of our approach to meeting local housing need across North Northamptonshire.
“By working in partnership with Northamptonshire Rural Housing Association and EMH, this scheme will help ensure the village remains a balanced and sustainable community.
“It’s also positive to see the development supporting local employment during the build through Snowdon Homes. We’re pleased to see work starting on site and to be supporting a development that will make a lasting, positive contribution to Kings Cliffe.”
The homes will be built to the anticipated Future Homes Standard principles, with a strong focus on energy efficiency. Each home will benefit from an air source heat pump, solar panels and electric vehicle charging points – helping residents keep energy costs down while creating comfortable, future ready homes for more sustainable living. It’s hoped that the homes will all achieve an EPC (Energy Performance Certificate) A rating.
Local connection
The main developer, Snowdon Homes, is based in Northamptonshire and employs local people, ensuring the scheme also supports the local economy.
The site on Millwood Way has been explored as a potential location for affordable housing for a number of years, with ongoing engagement and support from Kings Cliffe Parish Council, which has been involved throughout the process and are supportive of a small, sensitively designed affordable housing scheme.
The new homes will sit alongside existing properties already owned by EMH and managed by NRHA, helping to strengthen the sense of an established community.
Richard Mugglestone, NRHA’s managing director, said: “We’re really pleased to see construction starting on these much -needed new homes in Kings Cliffe. Northamptonshire Rural Housing Association has been closely involved in this scheme from the very beginning, and will continue to play a key role once the homes are complete, managing them on behalf of EMH.
“Developments like this show what can be achieved through long term partnership working and strong community support, and we’re looking forward to working with residents in the years ahead to make sure the homes are well managed, energy efficient and part of a thriving village community.”
Councillor Robert Meadows from Kings Cliffe Parish Council, added: “The Parish Council welcomes these 10 smaller affordable homes answering Kings Cliffe’s needs and tying in with our village Neighbourhood Plan. It’s great that the village can play its part in overcoming the shortage of new small homes.
“With the rapid progress on site the Parish Council look forward to soon welcoming the new residents happily becoming part of the village.”
Main image: (Left to right) Spencer Worley (EMH), David Koldynksi (NRHA), Dez Tanser (North Northamptonshire Council), Neil Gilliver (NRHA), Dean Roberts, Mark Willers, Jonathan Harris (all Snowdon Homes), Harry Brundrett (CPC Project Services), Councillor Meadows (Kings Cliffe Parish Council), and Simon Dallman (Snowdon Homes)
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