Twenty-eight new, affordable homes are taking shape on the site of the former Slocombe’s factory in Monmouth Street in Bridgwater. Officers and councillors from Sedgemoor District Council recently enjoyed a visit to review progress of the scheme. These new homes, costing £4.3m to build, will be owned by SHAL Housing Association and are a result of the collaborative work of a team of partners including Sedgemoor District Council, SHAL, Summerfield Homes and EDF Energy.

Duncan Harvey, Service Manager (Housing Development) at Sedgemoor District Council – “This scheme is an excellent example of how a brownfield site can be redeveloped to provide much-needed affordable housing. Providing affordable homes is a priority for the council and this project represents another significant step forward. To see construction finally starting on such a challenging brownfield site is amazing and is a testament to the hard work and strength of our relationship with SHAL and Summerfield Homes. We persevered, when many might have given up. Not only are we able to provide twenty-eight modern affordable homes, but we are delighted with the associated regeneration impact and long term benefits a development such as this for individuals and the wider community. None of this would have been possible without the significant financial support from Sedgemoor District Council, Homes England, SHAL and funds from the EDF Energy Housing Fund.”

David Eccles, Head of Stakeholder Engagement at EDF Energy said “EDF Energy has provided a £5M fund to help local Councils generate additional accommodation, particularly affordable housing, to offset the requirements of Hinkley Point C’s temporary workforce. We are pleased to see projects such this come forward and the positive legacy it will have in Bridgwater well into the future.”

Angela Gascoigne, CEO at SHAL “The partnership working which has resulted in the delivery of 28 new homes in Monmouth Street for Bridgwater people has been, in my view, exemplary. Sedgemoor District Council were determined that this site would be regenerated to enhance the street scene in this key part of the town. The funding from EDF and from Homes England has ensured that these homes will be at a rent that people on lower incomes can afford. SHAL’s tenants told us that one of our priorities should be the development of new homes. Our tenants know first-hand the difficulties that families face when they are unable to access the sort of home that properly meets their needs – safe, warm and affordable. We are therefore very happy to invest our own resources into this development. We are also incredibly grateful to the community surrounding this site who have been so supportive and so understanding during the development phase. Summerfield, a local developer employing local people, has found this a very challenging site technically but have overcome these challenges to create new homes that will be an asset for the whole community. I am really looking forward to the day when the first family is able to move into their new home and join the SHAL community.”