Work starts on 93 homes behind Herefordshire pub

The homes are being built on the former cricket ground behind the Full Pitcher pub in New Street, Ledbury.

A shortage of building materials had previously hampered efforts to develop the site, despite planning permission having already been granted.

Housing association Connexus, which is behind the development, was awarded more than £3m in grant funding from Homes England for the 93 new homes.

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Connexus is working with Herefordshire Council to include two bungalows, which will house residents on the council’s Accessible Homes Register.

Work is underway to build 93 affordable homes in Ledbury

Amanda Knowles, head of development at Connexus, said: “Our development at Ledbury has started on site and we expect the first phase of 31 homes to be completed this summer.

“A second phase of 62 properties will begin shortly after this and is expected to complete in the next couple of years.

“Homes will be a mix of mainly two and three-bedroom houses for families, with some bungalows and one-bedroom houses included to meet specific demand in the local area.

Affordable homes

“All will be available for either affordable rent, shared ownership or rent to buy – offering a mix of options for those living locally.”

Properties for affordable rent will be let in the first instance to those with a local connection to Ledbury.

Rent to buy homes are made available to rent at a reduced rate, allowing residents to build up a deposit to buy a share of the property later. 

Shared ownership offers a chance to buy a share of a property and pay a subsidised monthly rate on the remaining share.

Shared owners have the option to build up shares in their home, eventually owning the property outright if they choose. 

“The homes are being developed in partnership with the Jehu Group and Herefordshire Council,” said Ms Knowles. 

In the first phase of the scheme, 12 homes will be rent to buy and there will be 17 available as affordable rent. There will also be two three-bedroom houses available under a shared ownership scheme.

The second phase, which should start in the summer, will entail the construction of 20 rent-to-buy houses, 30 shared ownership houses, 10 affordable rent houses and two affordable rent bungalows.