Leadbitter completes Eynsham affordable housing scheme

The Leadbitter Group has successfully completed Merton Court, which is the first affordable housing development built in Eynsham in nearly 20 years.

Built on behalf of Witney-based Cottsway Housing Association, the scheme provides much-needed affordable homes for local people with ties to the area, enabling young families to remain in Eynsham and thus helping to sustain the community into the future.

The development is the result of Cottsway working in partnership with West Oxfordshire District Council through the Oxfordshire Rural Housing Partnership, with funding provided by Cottsway and the Homes and Communities Agency (HCA).

The 40 high-quality homes have been built to Code for Sustainable Homes Level 3 by enhancing the insulation of the building fabric and incorporating solar thermal panels on the houses and solar photovoltaic panels on the flats.

As part of Leadbitter’s commitment to the local community, the group also made a £1,000 donation to Eynsham Community Primary School, which will help to fund their ongoing environmental projects.

David Pinckney, development director of Leadbitter’s central housing division, said: “We are delighted to continue to work with Cottsway and feel this scheme sets a new benchmark for affordable housing in West Oxfordshire. Our approach to sustainability goes beyond the bricks and mortar of construction, and we are pleased to be supporting the Eynsham Primary School with the Eco Project initiative.”

David Waters, Cottsway’s chief executive, said: “We are pleased to see local people benefit from these new homes in Eynsham. The provision of affordable housing is vital to help sustain communities by enabling younger people to live in the areas where they grew up.”

The Merton Court ribbon-cutting ceremony also marked the 10th anniversary of Cottsway Housing. Staff from Leadbitter, Cottsway, the Council and the HCA attended the ceremony along with residents of the new homes.