Hastoe Housing Associations new affordable housing scheme opening in Messing recently gave those involved in bringing the scheme forward a chance to view the new homes and meet the tenants.

This Hastoe Housing Association scheme is situated on a previously overgrown site next to the local primary school in the parish of Messing. The scheme combines building two new affordable houses with the provision of a new car park for the school, a community allotment and orchard. The new carpark brings the benefit of cars now not having to park on a narrow lane outside the school and the allotment and orchard are for use by the community. The homes are built to strict energy efficiency measures and are two and 3 bedroom houses rented to local people.

Affordable rural housing schemes like the new one at Messing are aimed at providing housing for local people who either previously lived locally and needed new housing or have a connection to the village, for instance working in the village. The first stage in the process is a housing needs survey being carried out by RCCE. In this case a small need was identified. It is an example of various partners coming together to make this happen; Messing parish council, Hastoe Housing Assoication, Colchester Borough Council, Homes and Communities Agency and RCCE to name a few.

If you are interested in finding out more about Affordable Rural Housing either read more on RCCE Rural Housing Enabler pages or contact RCCE.