A housing association has won an award for doing its bit to tackle north Norfolk's affordable housing shortage.
Broadland Housing Association was the winner in a 'Excellence in Planning to Deliver Homes – small schemes' category at this year's Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI) Awards for Planning Excellence.
It follows Broadland tying together five housing schemes - at Binham, Trunch, Erpingham, Edgefield and Great Ryburgh - into one Section 106 Agreement, meaning they could build 61 affordable homes along with others to be sold at market rates.
Andrew Savage, the association's chief executive, said he was delighted with the award.
Mr Savage said: "Our development team and external partners work tirelessly to continue the supply of affordable housing in Norfolk and north Suffolk. It’s fantastic to get national recognition for delivering a very local solution.”
Partners on the project included North Norfolk District Council, Bidwell’s, Ingleton Wood, Hudson’s, Rossi Long, RG Carter, Wellington Construction and H Smith Honingham.
Iain Hill, partner at Bidwell’s, said: " It’s great that a scheme in north Norfolk has gained recognition nationwide - particularly one which highlights the benefits that can delivered for rural communities when all parties have a shared vision and adopt a collaborative approach.”
Property and construction consultancy Ingleton Wood provided architectural, design and planning support services to help deliver 39 homes across three sensitive village communities – Great Ryburgh, Trunch and Edgefield – as part of Broadland’s affordable housing strategy.
Chris Stammers, architect and director at the firm’s Norwich office, said: “Ingleton Wood is thrilled to be part of this excellent and award-winning collaboration – nationally recognised for breaking the mould to deliver high-quality rural affordable homes across north Norfolk.
“We worked together with local communities and the wider project team as part of a positive design and consultation process to maximise the provision of affordable homes in areas that desperately need them.”
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