3rd December 2024
The first of three new projects to provide 48 new, genuinely affordable and energy efficient homes in Thame and Wheatley to meet local needs* is now finished and has welcomed new tenants.
The homes are a combination of new builds and conversions and will include one-bed houses and flats at affordable rent or under a shared ownership scheme, as well as independent living accommodation for over 55 and 60-year-olds.
Brought to life through South Oxfordshire District Council’s partnership work with Soha Housing, Thame Community Land Trust and Thame & District Housing Association, the homes are largely funded by Section 106 affordable housing grants from developer contributions.
In Thame, the first residents have moved into their new homes and are enjoying energy saving solar roof panels and ground source heat pumps which will help keep energy bills low, as well as access to EV charging points.
See what one resident, Tina, says about her home in this video on YouTube.
A newly-built property in Wheatley of 12 one-bed apartments is also welcoming new tenants. The eco features mean the building will achieve zero carbon emissions when in use.
In addition, work is due to start on a third project of 31 affordable rent or shared ownership new-build houses and flats in Thame in 2025. The mix of new, affordable homes was established through a housing needs survey specific to Thame and will be available for people with a local connection to Thame.
Cllr Maggie Filipova-Rivers, Cabinet Member for Housing, South Oxfordshire District Council said: “Our partnership work with housing providers is one of the ways we’re meeting the housing needs of our residents now and in the future.
“Providing these affordable homes built with high environmental standards and eco features to help keep bills low too will help ensure people on lower incomes can live and thrive here.”
Ian Brooke, Chief Executive at Thame & District Housing Association said: “There are many reasons such as challenging life events and crises that can lead to someone being at risk of homelessness. Providing a safe and secure place to call home is essential, and we’re very happy to see people now forming part of a new and strong community here in Thame.”
Craig Dransfield, Head of Development at Soha Housing, said: “This is an exciting community-led housing scheme. Soha is looking forward to completing the homes – our second net zero carbon scheme – and letting them to residents, where we hope they’ll be very happy. We hope to deliver many more in partnership with South Oxfordshire District Council.”
The 48 properties will support the council’s Housing Delivery Strategy to provide access to suitable, affordable homes for local people. This will help the council address a long-term issue of the availability of affordable housing for people in South Oxfordshire – which is an expensive place to rent or buy on the open market.
*A housing needs survey was conducted by the council in 2020 in Thame and is publicly available on our website as part of the project’s planning application and planning permission.
