A LANDMARK partnership to deliver new affordable homes in Evesham has been given the green light.
Wychavon District Council’s planning committee has granted permission to build 23 new homes, including affordable housing, on council-owned land off Laurels Avenue in Offenham.
The project – which has been called ‘examplar’ – is a tie-up between Wychavon and Rooftop Housing to support the council’s long-held ambition to directly invest in housing to meet local needs.
Six of the homes will be for social rent with another three offered as shared ownership properties. The rest will be for private rental, either at or below market rent.
Councillor Rick Deller, responsible for housing and regulatory Services on Wychavon District Council, said: “I’m delighted this exciting and innovative partnership project has been given the go-ahead, allowing us to use our land and resources to boost housing supply to meet rising local demand.
Under the partnership, Wychavon is funding the development while Rooftop has led the design and planning application process.
They will project manage construction on behalf of Wychavon, who will continue to own the site and will appoint a developer to build the scheme.
Once completed, ownership of the affordable homes will be transferred to Rooftop via a Section 106 agreement on a freehold basis.
Chief executive of Rooftop, Boris Worrall, added: “This innovative project will make a real difference to the community by meeting local housing demand and ensuring families in Offenham have access to the homes they need.”
The homes for private rent will be leased to, and managed by Rooftop under a management fee arrangement, ensuring a return for the taxpayers on the council’s investment.
Zebra Architects has designed the development with a focus on high quality, energy-efficient homes inspired by the character of Offenham and the surrounding landscape.
Julian Hill from Zebra Architects, said: “It’s been a privilege to be part of such a considered and collaborative design journey.
“We are proud that the Wychavon Planning Committee described the approved scheme as exemplar.”
Homes will be a mix of one, two, four and five-bedroom properties as well as two bungalows. It is hoped construction will start by spring 2026.
