#RuralHousingWeek from 3 to 7 July highlights how important access to affordable homes is to those in living in rural areas. Much more than housing, being able to live where you work, ensures the survival of rural communities and the vital services that serve them.

In collaboration with Fen Drayton Parish Council, bpha is bringing much needed affordable and energy efficient housing to the community. The homes will be made available to those who either live, work or have a family connection to the area.

Being developed on edge of the village the 14 one, two and three bedroom homes will comprise a mix of affordable rent and shared ownership.

All the properties will benefit from renewable energy, including Photovoltaic panels and Air Source Heat pumps. This will help to achieve high levels of energy performance, resulting in thermally efficient homes and lower energy bills for the residents. Once the homes are complete residents will be shown how the technology works to ensure they fully benefit from the energy efficient systems installed.

bpha Executive Director of Development and Sales, Jeff Astle, comments “We are delighted to have partnered with Fen Drayton Parish Council to bring much needed energy-efficient, affordable housing to the area. This attractive scheme will benefit members of the local community who might otherwise have had to move away from an area they call home”.

As well as providing affordable homes, the environmentally friendly development will increase biodiversity with a community orchard, open green spaces and bird and bat boxes. Creating an attractive place to live and ensuring the scheme benefits everyone in the village.

Construction will begin in September 2023, with the first residents moving in December 2024.