Southwell homes hope for first-time buyers

A planning application for 105 homes has been submitted for Southwell with the majority of properties aimed at first-time buyers or those with a connection to the town.

If the application is approved by Newark and Sherwood District Council, it would see the development built on land to the north of Lower Kirklington Road.

The 105 homes would comprise one, two, three and four-plus bedroom homes.

Southwell Town Council was due to discuss the application at its planning committee meeting ob Wednesday night before passing its views to the district council.

The application has been submitted by construction company CAPLA Developments Ltd, which is based in Newark.

A design and access statement said the development would provide a mix of dwellings in keeping with the character of the area, and would help meet local demand.

Mr Paul Stubbins, director of CAPLA, said: "We have looked at the requirements of the neighbourhood plan and there is a demand for smaller houses rather than larger ones.

"There are only ten properties on the whole development that would be in excess of four bedrooms, with the vast majority being one, two and three-bed.

"We are local developers who know the area well.

"It is clear there is very little opportunity for first-time buyers, or siblings of people who live in Southwell, to get on the property ladder.

"If the application is accepted, this development will provide that opportunity for those first-time buyers.

"Although there is opposition to most developments, we would hope that the opportunities provided will outweigh that."

Of the 105 homes, 32 would be affordable housing — 60% for affordable rent and the remaining for affordable shared ownership — to meet Government guidelines.

Mr Stubbins said CAPLA Developments was a Help To Buy-registered company, so every property on the development would be eligible for the Government scheme.

Under the Help To Buy, launched in 2013, the Government offers a 20% equity loan to buyers of newly-built properties. Those buyers put forward a 5% deposit and when the property is sold on, the Government reclaims its loan.

Mr Stubbins said: "If we get the go-ahead, we would get on site and be building as soon as possible.

"We would expect it to be done in 2½ years, with a two-year build programme, selling (properties) as they are built, and a further six months to sell the final houses."