Broadclose, Cornwall

Broadclose is an exciting new development on the outskirts of Bude, Cornwall. The Guinness Trust is providing 57 homes out of a total of 173 in partnership with North Cornwall District Council, Midas Homes and Westcountry Housing Association. The scheme promotes sustainable communities by ensuring a spread of mixed tenures across the whole development, including affordable homes, both for rent and shared ownership, and those for private sale. The build cost of the 114 affordable homes is £11.4m.

Given its semi-rural location on the edge of open countryside, the development has been designed to have a positive relationship to the landscape and coastal views. Dynamic architecture and design is key, and the homes will be set out in a series of short terrace and courtyard arrangements known as Homezones, keeping open public space as a priority.

Homes at Broadclose have been designed around 'green' principles, including high insulation and a rainwater-harvesting system to reduce running costs, together with habitat improvements and the active protection of rare dormice in the area. The street pattern supports and enhances existing well-used pedestrian connections and encourages walking and cycling - it is intended that 'the streets will be for people as well as motorists'.

It is hoped that this scheme will become a regional exemplar of urban design, low energy architecture and sustainable development.

Graham Facks-Martin, NCDC's Chair of Community Services said:

"The lack of affordable housing is a key issue in North Cornwall, where house prices are very high in relation to the average wage and where in some parts of the district around thirty-five per cent of properties are second homes."

"I think everyone involved is to be congratulated on producing what I believe to be a very attractive and innovative scheme which provides a high proportion of affordable housing for people in need."

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