A COMMUNITY-LED housing development of 12 homes has been granted planning permission.

The Hook Norton Community Land Trust (HNCLT) has received permission from Cherwell District Council to build the new houses, south of Cascade Road.

Eight of the homes in Hook Norton will be affordable, and the move has been praised by local councillors.

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Hugo Brown, ward councillor for Deddington, said: “This small development of 12 homes, of which eight are affordable, almost twice the standard requirement, is an exemplar of great design, sympathetic to its host community and, most importantly, it directly answers a local need in allowing those with a genuine connection to Hook Norton to remain living in their village when otherwise it might have proved difficult for them to do so.

“All developments attract comment but that so few objections were received for this one is testament to the care and consideration that HNCLT took to engage with villagers and to develop a new community of lasting value to Hook Norton and to those residents lucky enough to call it home.”

Witney Gazette:

In total, there were five public comments which objected to the plans, with concerns about flooding, parking and noise pollution raised.

John Donaldson, lead member for housing at Cherwell District Council, added: “It is great to see this community-led housing project progressing in partnership with Cherwell District Council.

“We need more affordable housing like this to help meet our community’s housing needs.

“This particular project shows initiative and a strong commitment to the delivery of good quality, zero-carbon homes for local people.

“We look forward to seeing these homes being delivered in Hook Norton.”

Witney Gazette:

The Low Carbon Hub, which develops community-owned renewable energy across Oxfordshire, is working out the details of the sustainable and renewable energy elements of the site, which will be part of a micro grid that could provide a system of locally generated energy.

The housing project aims to lower carbon emissions through solar panels, electric vehicle charging points and energy efficient heating.

The project is now exploring funding options and is planning for the building phase of the development.

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Cathy Ryan, chair of HNCLT, said: “The recent period has shown how vital it is to support each other and I believe the ethos of the community housing project here in Hooky, with its affordable and sustainable facilities shared with the whole village, will enrich the sense of community spirit.”

After planning permission was granted on May 21, the Section 106 agreement is currently being drawn up, while a new HNCLT website will soon be launched.

On the website, all the latest developments and information on how to apply for the homes will be available.

Witney Gazette:

HNCLT was set up in July 2019 to ‘provide a creative and innovative solution to the growing housing crisis where rapidly increasing house prices far exceed what is affordable for local people’.

For more information on the project, please email: catherine.ryan@lowcarbonhub.org