A DEVELOPMENT of 27 new affordable homes has been officially opened in St Ives.
Coastline Housing's development of 27 new affordable homes in St Ives has been officially opened by the Town Mayor, Councillor Colin Nicholls.
The new homes form is the second phase of a project in the Consols area at the top of the town.
Twenty two of the properties are affordable rented homes and five are shared ownership homes, all purchased by local people.
Shared ownership means first time buyers can put up the money to buy half their home and rent the other half from the developer.
Robert Nettleton, chief Executive of Coastline Housing, said: "The fact that St Ives is so hugely attractive to the tourist industry has made purchasing or renting a good quality house at an affordable level in the town extremely difficult for local people. These properties have made a real difference to people's lives and enabled them to continue living in the town they call home."
The development was funded by Coastline Housing, the Homes and Communities Agency and Cornwall Council and the homes were built by Kier Living.
They feature energy efficiency measures such as highly efficient gas combi-boilers and improved levels of insulation, all of which means reduced future running costs for residents.
Residents and a variety of other guests joined Mayor of St Ives Colin Nicholls for a celebratory ribbon cutting and a slice of cake at the development to mark its official opening.
Michelle Foster, director of development at Coastline Housing, said: "There was a clear need for more affordable homes in St Ives. The Town Council identified this and worked with us to give the scheme momentum.
"The planning application was passed without a single objection, which just demonstrates how supportive the local community has been of this development."
Coastline Housing Ltd is an independent, not-for-profit housing association that owns and manages more than 3,900 homes.
A spokesperson said: "The challenge faced by Coastline is enormous. At 13 times average earnings in many areas of Cornwall, high house price rises have excluded many people from owning their own home.
"Thousands of families have registered for affordable rented housing in the county and many more are known to be in need."
ENDS
Photo caption:
St Ives Town Mayor, Councillor Colin Nicholls, cuts the ribbon at Consols with the Chairman of Coastline Housing's Board, Derek Law MBE, and Chief Executive, Robert Nettleton
