A charitable housing association has completed its biggest affordable housing development at Quintrell Downs.

Coastline Housing is welcoming the final residents to the scheme with new customers Doug and Judy Hodges given the honour of cutting the ribbon alongside the mayor Cllr Drew Creek.       

The development encompasses 140 homes which are a mix of affordable rent properties, shared ownership homes, rent to buy and open market homes.

It also includes older persons accommodation that offers 28 flats for people aged over 55 and has easy access lifts and communal facilities.

Chris Weston, the director of development and commercial services, said: “We are delighted to see Quintrell Downs completed as it’s been Coastline’s largest project to date.

“Given the size of the scheme, it has been completed in phases so that new residents could move in along the way. We are now moving people into the final rental properties and have reserved all the shared ownership homes. We hope the new community settling in here will be very happy.”

Funding from Homes England and support from Cornwall Council made the development possible, alongside investment from Coastline itself.

The milestone occasion comes in the same week that Coastline Housing has been listed as the fourth fastest growing housing association in the country in a national list published by Inside Housing magazine.

It is the seventh year in a row that Coastline has appeared in the top ten list that looks at the number of new homes housing associations are building as a percentage of their current stock.

This year Coastline has moved up the list three places from seventh to fourth in the rankings. Over the last financial year, the housing charity built 191 new homes in Cornwall, bringing its total stock in ownership or management up to 5,223. 

Steve Harrison, chair of Coastline Housing, said: “The housing crisis in Cornwall continues to be an ever more real and serious issue for everyone, so we are delighted that we’ve been recognised for bringing these homes to the county and we are determined to bring many more.

“At times over the past year we’ve faced many challenges with house building as have others in the sector. Supply chain issues, contractors entering administration and difficult weather periods have all meant a tough year for the industry so it’s testament to the many great partners, communities and organisations that we work with that we managed to complete as many homes as we did.”

Looking ahead to 2024 and 2025, the housing charity has plans in the pipeline to continue developing even more affordable rented and shared ownership properties in areas across Cornwall. The landlord has also joined forces with other professionals and businesses as part of the Homes for Cornwall movement, an initiative to come up with more innovative solutions to solve the housing crisis for future generations.

Nathan Mallows, director of finance, People and Change, said: “We are fortunate to operate in an area where the local authority and many local communities are supportive of new affordable housing.

“We have also been supported with Homes England and Cornwall Council grants and loan finance from the Affordable Homes Guarantee Scheme as well as other supportive lenders.

“Investment in homes means, at the end of the day, an investment in local communities and Cornwall as a whole. The economic impact it generates is significant and goes far beyond just Coastline.”

Louise Beard, the deputy CEO of Coastline, adds: “We are looking forward to engaging with customers in our new homes, building strong communities and listening and responding to feedback on the services we provide and how we can continue to develop in the future.”