£77 million Wiltshire housing PFI scheme under way

Monday 23rd January 2012

A £77 million Private Finance Initiative (PFI) contract which will see around 350 affordable rented homes built in west Wiltshire has been signed following government approval.

The project will bring together Wiltshire Council and Sarsen Housing Association with Persimmon Homes and its sister company Westbury Partnerships to deliver a mixture of one, two, three and four-bedroom houses, flats and bungalows.

The unique scheme sees land provided by the Council and Persimmon Homes. Westbury Partnerships, working with Sarsen Housing Association, will build the first 240 homes with construction beginning this month (January).

The first phase will be built in Trowbridge, Warminster, Westbury, Melksham and Hilperton, with the first properties ready to move into during summer 2012. Plans to build a further 100 homes will also progress following the backing.

The housing PFI allows local authorities to work with private sector partners to build, improve and manage housing. It is administered in England by the Homes and Communities Agency (HCA), which has been working with the council in support of its bid. This scheme is one of 13 that the government signalled continued support for, subject to a value for money review, in November 2010.

Steve Blake, group development director for Aster Group, Sarsen Housing Association's parent company, said: "We're delighted to be working alongside Wiltshire Council, Westbury Partnerships and the HCA to help deliver, manage and maintain these vital new homes. As well as providing high-quality affordable housing across the county, this project will also create around 40 new jobs. We're looking forward to getting started."

John Thomson, cabinet member for housing, said: "I am really pleased the government has approved our business case to ensure these 350 much-needed affordable homes can be built, despite the difficult financial times.

"It is especially important during the economic downturn that we are able to provide enough good quality accommodation for Wiltshire's residents, and also bring much-needed jobs and commercial activities to the area."

Steve Roche, managing director, Westbury Partnerships Wessex, said: "This joint venture will deliver more homes into the communities where they are most needed. The contract is an excellent example of cooperative working between the public and private sector and we look forward to welcoming the first new residents in the summer."

HCA head of area Peter Jones added: "This is good news for people in Wiltshire who are looking to access high-quality, affordable homes. Partners have worked hard to get this initiative into place and people will now begin to see the benefits of the investment when homes start to be delivered. I am really pleased that progress will be made on this project."

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