A PIONEERING five-year project to build new homes in Nailsworth is now complete.

Ten affordable properties were officially ‘handed over’ to the community at an event on April 11, with residents having moved in at the end of March.

The site at Valley View was developed by Nailsworth Community Land Trust (CLT) in partnership with the Aster Group housing association.

All profits generated by the development will stay in the community and the homes will remain the property of Nailsworth CLT so they can continue to be offered to local people for rent.

Jonathan Duckworth, Mayor of Nailsworth and CLT member said: “This is a wonderful project, something for the town to celebrate.

“Every time I walk along Valley View I feel proud to see what the community has achieved.”

Ian Potts, chairman of Nailsworth CLT said: “This development is a triumph for the CLT, 10 new homes that will be in the town’s ownership forever, let to residents with local connections.”

Nailsworth CLT was created after a housing survey revealed there was a shortage of at least 52 affordable homes in the town.

The trust then acquired a former garage site for the build, sold to them by Stroud District Council (SDC) for £1.

Planning permission was granted via a Community Right to Build Order (CRTBO), after residents got the chance to vote on whether or not the project should go ahead.

Creating the development via a CRTBO has meant that the tenants do not have the right to buy the properties.

SDC leader Doina Cornell said this was significant, as it means they will remain as affordable housing for the community.

“We lose quite a lot of property through the right to buy scheme, around 25 properties a year, which makes it more challenging to get people housed,” she said.

Helen Bone of Homes England said: “Inspired by the pioneering work of Nailsworth CLT and other community-led housing organisations, the Government has launched the £163m Community Housing Fund.

“The fund provides an exciting option for Homes England to support more communities to lead the development of housing to meet local needs, delivering lasting benefit for themselves and their communities.”