HOUSEBUILDER Linden Homes have welcomed Whitehall's call for their industry to demonstrate clearly the economic and social benefits that developments can bring to communities.
Linden implemented a standard community engagement policy last year to cement its involvement with the communities where it builds new homes – recruiting employees and sourcing materials locally.
The strategy complements the recent national shake-up of planning policy which aims to encourage construction, jobs and economic growth by giving housebuilders greater leeway to make proposals viable.
Linden Homes' divisional managing director Tom Nicholson, who is responsible for special projects, said: "We are fulfilling an array of needs for employment, housing, infrastructure, transport and a diverse range of extra benefits.
"We welcome the Government's call for housebuilders to demonstrate how they are achieving this, but for us it will be business as usual."
Ogwell Brook – a Linden Homes development near Newton Abbot – is a showcase for how the company has brought a raft of benefits to the community.
The biggest boost is from the 73 jobs on site which have been created for local people. Young apprentices have been taken on too, tackling the building industry's skills shortage.
So far 95 per cent of buyers of the new homes have moved from within 15 miles of Ogwell Brook, with the remaining five per cent all having family links nearby.
The direct financial investment will reach further still, as the New Homes Bonus will generate £1,021,451 over six years for the district council, as well as a further £255,363 towards Devon County Council.
Other funding includes a £100,000 contribution to bus services. A cycleway is benefiting from £90,000 support on top of £50 vouchers for each household to put towards buying a bicycle. A full public transport travel pack has also been produced.
Close involvement with the community has been important too – Linden donated high visibility vests for pupils walking to class at Canada Hill School and it sponsored Newton Abbot's annual music and beer festival.
MP for Newton Abbot, Anne-Marie Morris and Jeremy Christophers, leader of Teignbridge Council, recently visited the site and were both impressed by what they saw.
Mrs Morris said: "It's important that we ensure there is enough affordable housing in this part of the country, so I'm glad to see 56 affordable homes have been included in the development.
"I also welcome the jobs the building works have provided. The opportunity for young people to take on apprenticeships is a valuable starting place."
Cllr Christophers said: "We are very lucky in Teignbridge. It's a beautiful part of the country which makes it all the more difficult when we have to look at the need for new homes. I meet many families whose grown-up children still live at home because they can't afford their own place – not a great way to start their adult lives.
"We need to acknowledge what positive development can bring: affordable homes, jobs, apprenticeships and significant financial contributions to the communities of Teignbridge. This all helps address many of the issues we face locally.
"Teignbridge has made a commitment to making housing a top priority and we are looking at different, new and innovative ways of doing this. Every planning application will be determined on its merits, but we need to be thinking carefully about the wider community benefits."
