First residents arriving soon at Marian's Walk, Berry Hill, Forest of Dean
Our Rural Housing Enabler Tim Gwilliam writes:
"We often see reports in the media about negative issues with housing developments. For several reasons, these reports focus on the problems of new housing and the fears of the local community. At GRCC we would like to share with you a very positive Rural Affordable Housing Good News story about a small Gloucestershire development which is just about to welcome its first residents.
This project at Berry Hill in the Forest of Dean has been led by the community from the outset, and has had support from GRCC since its inception 8 years ago.
In around 2017 the community of Berry Hill decided to embark, with GRCC's help, on creating a Neighbourhood Development Plan (NDP) for the village, and with the help of many community members they produced an NDP that not only passed inspection but was considered an exemplar by the government.
A key component of the NDP consultation was that the people of Berry Hill voiced their concerns about young people being priced out of housing, or there simply being no housing for local folk. The history and future sustainability of the village were at risk. The NDP included an affordable housing policy which stated that for any new local affordable housing development, people with a local connection would have "first dibs" on the new homes when they became available.
GRCC undertook a Housing Needs Survey to identify local need, and worked with the community to find a suitable plot of land for new affordable housing in the village. GRCC and the Parish Council took part in the negotiations with the land owners, and an agreement was reached. The land was on the edge of the village, somewhere that might not receive planning permission under normal circumstances, but with GRCC's help to get it designated as a "Rural Exception Site", it would stand a good chance.
A local not-for-profit Registered Housing Provider, Two Rivers Housing, joined the project, and a planning application for 17 affordable homes was submitted in 2020. Two Rivers, conscious of the need to maximise local Social Value, brought in Coleford-based builders Mike Etheridge Construction as the developers, a building firm that is so local, the owners live in the Forest of Dean as do many of their workforce. Building work started in spring 2024.
Jumping forward to 2025: with the new affordable homes nearing completion, GRCC worked with Two Rivers and the local community, advertising and promoting the availability of the new affordable housing, so that anyone in housing need with a local connection to Berry Hill knew that they needed to urgently make sure that they were registered on the Homeseeker Plus website. At GRCC we received many phone calls asking for our help and support to do this. We also shared their individual housing need stories (anonymously and with permission of course), publicising the dire need for more affordable housing in the Forest, a need which far outstrips the supply.
Very soon now, on December 16th, there will be a special opening of the Marian's Walk development at Berry Hill. We're thrilled that by working with the local community and with partners, we have helped to create 17 urgently needed affordable homes for people with strong connections to the village. This great outcome has come about thanks to the local community's efforts in creating an NDP, aided by GRCC's knowledge and support, and local people backing the the need for new Affordable Housing on their terms. The new development provides a mix of homes for Berry Hill families and single people, including some which are specially built for people with disabilties, made available through a mixture of tenancies and shared-ownership.
Affordable Housing projects are never quick. Some eight years after I first chaired the NDP committee as a local councillor, I now proudly work for GRCC as a Rural Housing Enabler! I will be attending the opening ceremony at Berry Hill on the 16th December along with other members of the GRCC team who were part of the process at the beginning, including my predecessor Martin Hutchings whose involvement was absolutely key early on.
The long process of how the new residents of Whitehall Close, Grove Road, Berry Hill are now able to start moving into their new homes is a wonderful example of Community Empowerment. I'm proud of the way that the local community, GRCC, Forest of Dean District Council, and project partners Two Rivers Housing and Mike Etheridge Construction have all worked together to play a part in this all-too-rare Affordable Housing good news story!"
