In a significant move to address the housing needs of Wiltshire residents, Persimmon Homes Wessex has delivered seven newly built homes to Selwood Housing, a local not-for-profit housing association, at its Backbridge Farm site in Malmesbury.
The handover ceremony, attended by Wiltshire councillors Gavin Grant, also Mayor of Malmesbury, and Martin Smith, took place as part of a broader initiative to alleviate pressure on the local housing list. These homes, designated for shared ownership, mark a step forward in providing accessible housing solutions for the community.
This transfer is part of a larger development plan, with 80 properties earmarked for handover at Backbridge Farm, of which 60% will be available for affordable rent. The Backbridge Farm project aims to enhance the local area by offering not just residences but also amenities such as a village green, pocket parks, play areas, and attenuation ponds.
Persimmon Homes, renowned for its commitment to community engagement, has further demonstrated its dedication through donations to local organisations like Wiltshire Air Ambulance and Malmesbury Town Carnival via its Community Champions scheme.
Julian Roper, Regional Managing Director of Persimmon Homes, expressed delight at the collaboration with Selwood Housing, highlighting the importance of providing quality homes to address the housing crisis. “Persimmon is committed to leave a positive community legacy where we build, and a core element of our offering is the transfer of quality new homes to housing association partners,” he said.
“We are delighted to have transferred the latest tranche of these houses, and we hope this significant community contribution will help alleviate pressure on the local housing list.
“We are pleased to partner with Selwood Housing to deliver this increase in provision for the people of Malmesbury as we continue to make progress on this beautiful site delivering quality homes for local people.”
Paul Walsh, Group Development Director at Selwood Housing, echoed the sentiment, reaffirming the organisation’s mission to create vibrant communities through partnerships with developers like Persimmon. With a range of properties available, including apartments, houses, and bungalows, Selwood Housing aims to cater to diverse housing needs in Malmesbury.
Local councillors, including Cllr Gavin Grant and Cllr Martin Smith, lauded the progress of the Backbridge Farm development and commended Persimmon’s efforts to address community concerns.
