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One family who could not wait to receive their new keys was Ms Evelyn Fox and her three children, Jenna-Marie, Joshua and Tyler. Ms Fox, who has lived in Cornwall since she was nine years old, originally attended school in St Ives.
After living in temporary accommodation in Hayle with her children, Ms Fox said it was “completely overwhelming” to be moving into their new three-bedroom home. She added: “It’s been a tough year for our family and it is going to be so much better to be back in St Ives and near my parents.” Ms Fox’s brother, Sergeant Paul Fox was killed in Afghanistan last year. Ms Fox continued: “We are looking at this as a chance to celebrate something positive in our lives.”
The housing is a mixture of two, three and four-bedroom houses; 44 are available for rent and 10 are shared-ownership properties. All homes have their own parking and garden as well as Air Source Heating. A purpose built two-bedroom bungalow for a disabled tenant has also been developed.
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Colin Nicholls, Deputy Mayor of St Ives was given a tour of the new development as new tenants began to move in. He was joined by Town Councillor, Harry Isaacs and Gail Hunt, Chair of PHA’s Board.
Mr Nicholls said: “This is a wonderful scheme, which has been completed on schedule and to a high standard. With such a high number of commercial properties being developed in St Ives, it is important that we strike a balance and continue to build affordable residential properties.”
The Homes and Communities Agency (HCA) has invested more than £3.5 million in the project, through the National Affordable Housing Programme. Cornwall Council has also invested around £140,000 in the development which cost £4.9 million.
“The spirit of partnership was at the fore of this scheme and I am grateful to PHA and DCH staff, Mansells, St Ives Town Council, Cornwall Council and the HCA for making this large scheme so successful. We are very pleased to have been able to make a contribution to housing needs in St Ives,” said Andy Moore, Chief Executive of PHA.
Versha Koria, HCA Investment and Regeneration Manager, added: “This is an important and very welcome scheme for local people in St Ives. It’s great to see that the scheme is having a positive impact on people’s lives. I would like to congratulate the partners who have worked with us to deliver an impressive and much-needed development.”