Architectural designer Charlie Luxton’s ‘community-led’ housing project in Oxfordshire is due to open the first homes of 12 in the affordable build to rent scheme this month.
The project in Hook Norton has been created to serve people in need, and to establish a strong connections locally. Four of the homes will be sold at market rate, and eight will be rented at up to 80% of market rate by Soha housing association.
The first four homes have been completed and the first tenants are expected to move in by March, and the whole development is due to complete later this spring.
The project has been funded by local residents, using community grants and donations, via a Community Land Trust. The body bought a former brownfield site to build the scheme from Cherwell District Council at a reduced rate.
All homes have solar PVs, connected to the project’s ‘microgrid’ and battery storage facility.
Charlie Luxton told the BBC: “It’s housing for people, by the people. Everyone in Hook Norton has been involved in creating the Land Trust, being involved in the design process, and being involved in the finance.”