Living Space and Stonewater to kick-start Oxfordshire development in the new year

Affordable housing specialist, Living Space, and social housing provider, Stonewater, have entered into an agreement to build 40 new, affordable homes in Aston, Oxfordshire. The development partners now expect to start on site in the new year.

The news follows Living Space’s sister company and land specialist, Terra, completing the sale of the five-acre site to Stonewater earlier in this month.

As a 100% affordable scheme, the West Oxfordshire development will deliver a mix of property types catering to couples and families.

Comprising a range of two-bedroom bungalows, and two-, three- and four-bedroom homes, the plans have been generated in response to a range of factors including local demand, analysis of existing local housing stock, and affordable housing need. 

Access to green space has been a key consideration in the design. Each house will have a secure rear garden and all residents will benefit from the introduction of extensive green infrastructure, which will account for 40% of the total site area. By establishing corridors of planting around the boundaries of the site, maintaining and enhancing existing trees and planting, the development partners expect to provide a net biodiversity benefit through new habitat creation.

Consideration for the wider landscape will also be reflected in each home’s design, with homes complementing the materials used in nearby buildings.

The local village, just a short walk away, will provide future residents with a primary school, pub, village hall, community shop and tearoom. An existing bus stop is also located opposite the development’s entrance.

Paul Breen, managing director at Living Space, said: "In designing this scheme, it was essential to ensure these homes would not only meet the proven lack of affordable housing in West Oxfordshire, but provide a complementary extension to the existing village here in Aston.

“The huge demand for these homes is also why we’re pleased to get started on construction in the next few months. And I’ve no doubt this scheme will soon become another fantastic example of our enduring and successful relationship with Stonewater – whose team believe in providing quality homes, that communities can be proud of, just as much as we do.”

Marie Riordan, Director of Development (South & Central) at Stonewater, said: “We’re pleased to be continuing our longstanding partnership with Living Space in the creation of this new scheme in Aston. We know there is an ever-increasing demand for safe, sustainable and affordable homes, particularly in rural locations like this, which allow local people to remain within their communities and enable them to thrive.”

Located off Cote Road, the site is five miles south of the historic market town of Witney. The UK’s largest RAF base, Brize Norton – a major employer in the area – is located nearby.