Plymouth Community Homes (PCH) has started work on five affordable homes for social rent in Widegates, South East Cornwall.
The three-bedroom homes are being built by Ease Homes SW Ltd, the first scheme PCH has delivered with the local developer.
The energy-efficient properties, which include air source heat pumps and electric vehicle charging points, will be prioritised for people with a connection to Morval parish before being extended to neighbouring parishes across South East Cornwall, including Looe.
The scheme is funded through the government’s Social and Affordable Homes Programme 2026-2036. PCH is one of 33 housing associations named as a Strategic Partner under the programme, with a target of delivering 1,500 affordable homes over the next decade.
Shahi Islam, director of affordable housing grants at Homes England, said: “Plymouth Community Homes is one of just 33 Strategic Partners chosen nationally to help deliver the government’s £39bn Social and Affordable Homes Programme, and this development in Widegates marks a significant milestone as the first scheme to be awarded funding under the new programme.
“These five new energy-efficient homes for social rent will make a real difference for local people, particularly those with strong ties to Morval parish and the surrounding areas, who are struggling to find affordable housing in their own communities.
“We look forward to seeing Plymouth Community Homes continue to build on their strong track record of delivery across Cornwall and Devon as they progress towards their target of 1,500 new affordable homes over the next decade.”
Widegates is PCH’s first development in the village and adds to its existing homes for rent and shared ownership in Liskeard, Saltash and Callington. PCH manages more than 16,000 homes across Devon and Cornwall.
Jo Agnew, project manager at PCH, said: “We’re delighted to be delivering a scheme of five homes for social rent in Widegates, close to our other homes in South East Cornwall.
“This development represents an exciting opportunity for us to support a new community, and we’re looking forward to working alongside a new development partner to provide high-quality affordable homes for local residents.”
Dafydd Hollyman, construction director at Ease Homes SW Ltd, said: “We’re really pleased to be delivering Widegates with Plymouth Community Homes, and we’d like to thank them and Exeter Finance for the opportunity to bring this scheme forward.
“It has taken a lot of work and commitment from everyone involved to get Widegates to this point, so we’re delighted that we’ve now got the scheme over the line and can concentrate on delivering the homes which are programmed for delivery in early 2027.
“We genuinely hope this will be the first of many projects that Ease Homes and PCH deliver together.”
Councillor Peter La Broy, Cornwall Council’s cabinet member for housing, said: “Many residents are struggling to find a home in the communities where they grew up, work or have family connections and it’s clear that more affordable homes are needed. Developments like this make an important contribution to tackling the housing crisis – providing safe, secure and affordable accommodation as well as helping residents to remain part of their communities.”
PCH is also delivering 48 homes in St Austell – its first in the area – and 16 homes in Darite, a village near Liskeard. The first of those homes for social rent are due to be available in spring 2027.
Main image: Matt Robins, quantity surveyor at Ease Homes SW Ltd; Tim Hoppenbrouwers, associate director at Gates Consultants; Adam Lewis, head of development finance at Exeter Finance; Gary Walters, clerk of works, Plymouth Community Homes; Natasha Azlee, assistant project manager, Plymouth Community Homes; Jo Agnew, project manager, Plymouth Community Homes; Dan Stones, head of development at Ease Homes SW Ltd; Ben Hobbs, assistant project manager at Ease Homes SW Ltd; and Dafydd Hollyman, construction director at Ease Homes SW Ltd. Credit: Plymouth Community Homes.
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