Thirty one affordable homes for local people and key workers in a top Cornish resort, with a big housing waiting list, were opened on Wednesday 19 March 2008.
Enjoying spectacular views over St Ives the homes, some rented and some low cost ownership, range from one bed apartments to three bed houses.
The total cost of the partnership development by the Penwith Housing Association (PHA), Devon and Cornwall Housing Association (DCHA) and the Penwith District Council, is about £2 million.
Close to the town’s Rugby ground and formerly the site of an old town council depot and farmland, Venton Vision rise with 16 flats and 15 houses was opened by the Chair of Penwith Council, Mrs Joan Tanner of St Ives. Money from ‘Second Home’ Council Tax has helped in this the biggest home building project in the town for many years. “These much needed homes have been allocated to local people and key workers, including people who currently live in St Ives, were born or grew up here or whose family live here,” she said.
Mrs Tanner cut a ribbon with Gail Hunt, Chair of PHA, and tenants Ann Ridgeway and her 16 year old son, Luke. Guests were welcomed by Andy Moore, Chief Executive of PHA. Mrs Hunt remarked, “To enable the houses to be affordable the rents range from £55 to £75 a week. The low cost ownership purchase prices range from £108,000 to £180,000. The monthly cost for someone purchasing a 40% share in the one bedroom apartment, the rent would be £136 and mortgage £260, totalling £396.” She hoped the residents would be very happy in their new homes. The site had been developed in two stages, the first with 12 homes and the second of 19 with highly insulated timber frames reaching the Eco Homes ‘very good’ standard.
Mrs Tanner said the second phase of 19 was made possible with £900,000 from the Housing Corporation and £10,000 from Second Homes Council Tax. “Venton Vision is adjacent to an area of outstanding natural beauty, so the design required sensitive development with high design standards.”
Many residents attended the ceremony and later two of them, Joan Nicholas and Trevor Cochrane joined in the cutting of a celebration cake made in the design of a house. Mrs Nicholas said her ground floor flat was “beautiful”. She had been made homeless and had to go into bed and breakfast accommodation and then was taken ill and ended up in hospital. She had lived in St Ives for 59 years and was thrilled with her new home.
