South Devon Rural

Welcome to the South Devon Rural Housing Association Web-site

It has come to our attention that tenants are being contacted by Green Deal Companies trying to promote Green Deal products.  They are doing this without the authority of South Devon Rural Housing.  All alterations to SDR properties will need authorisation.

Plans for a new affordable eco-housing scheme in Thurlestone have been given the go ahead by South Hams District Council.

The scheme will provide four new three-bedroom homes on former council-owned land at Parkfield. It was approved at South Hams District Council’s Development Management Committee on November 7 and will be run in partnership with South Devon Rural Housing Association. The innovative new homes will be offered to local people with a housing need to rent at 80% of local market rents. The houses will be constructed to Level Five of the Code for Sustainable Homes. This requires buildings to be twice as efficient at conserving energy as an average house. South Hams District councillor for Dartmouth and Kingswear district, Jonathan Hawkins, said: “This is an exciting project to provide local people with sustainable homes, one of our key priorities. It is particularly welcome in such a rural community that suffers from lack of affordable homes.” Steve Prime, CEO of South Devon Rural Housing Association who will be managing the build, said: “This is a very important development for the Association. We have long held the view that sustainable affordable housing can be developed in rural locations, not as an experiment but as a template which can be replicated.” Rod Hewett, Chairman of South Devon Rural Housing Association, added: “As a small local housing association it demonstrates our ability to deliver innovative solutions for local people in rural areas. This development takes a huge step forward in proving that this does not need to be a one off. Our tenants will benefit from high quality homes and extremely low energy costs. This could not have happened without the support the Association received from South Hams District Council.”

'New' Forder Lane House is now fully let following our major refurbishment costing in excess of £1.7 million.  The rooms were let in record time exceeding our expectations.  However, we have established a waiting list for those wishing to be considered for a room, ring 01803 863532 to arrange a viewing.

Services for other Landlords

We are able to offer quality management services to leaseholders and to other landlords operating in South Devon - please see our Management Services section for more details or call Steve Prime on 01803 863550.

The Rural Housing 'Master Plan'

Here at South Devon Rural Housing  we are keen to demonstrate  our desire to develop housing sensitively in the villages of South Devon.  We believe it is not enough just to develop housing in isolation.  We also believe that even in the smallest of villages, some social and low cost housing is needed, to both support any existing social or low cost housing and to maintain the viability of small villages and settlements.  In some villages where we are able to procure land and obtain the necessary planning, we would like to offer allotments, amenity areas and orchards to aid sustainability.  See our section on Rural Housing for more information.

If you would like to discuss any of these ideas, please contact Steve Prime on 01803 847591.

WE NEED YOU! - Volunteers Wanted.

South Devon Rural Housing Association is a small community based organisation, providing housing and other related services to communities mainly within the South Hams.  We rely on local people  within our area of operation to become shareholders and to become Board Members on a voluntary basis.  We are particularly looking for new members who have skills or experience in the following areas:  Finance, Building and Development, Business or experience of Services for Older People.  We are also looking for volunteers to help in our Day Centre.  Please contact Steve Prime or Monika Pike to discuss volunteering.