COUNCILLORS have been treated to a behind-the-scenes tour of Wootten Wawen's groundbreaking eco home development.

Stratford-on-Avon District councillor Simon Lawton, councillor Mark McCall, chairman of Wootton Wawen Parish Council, and parish councillor Michael Dufty recently got a sneak peak and tour of the site.

Warwickshire Rural Housing Association’s Passivhaus development is promising to make a big difference to local people by providing high quality, low energy, affordable homes specifically for those with a connection to the village.

With local people being forced to move away from the village as they cannot afford to live there, and the village population ageing, the Wootton Wawen Neighbourhood Plan recognises that an influx of younger people is needed to make the community more sustainable.

It supports the development of small-scale, community led affordable housing schemes, in keeping with the picturesque village, for people who have either family or work ties to Wootton Wawen.

To meet this need, Warwickshire Rural Housing Association (WRHA) is developing 14 properties in partnership with Waterloo Housing Group and developer, Bouygues UK.

Funding has been provided by Stratford-on-Avon District Council and the Homes and Communities Agency, along with a significant financial commitment from WRHA.

Councillor Simon Lawton added: “I was very impressed by the quality and speed of construction in developing this important village asset.

“I and other councillors were pleased to have confirmation that in allocating these homes, local villagers will have absolute priority. Given the demand for affordable accommodation, I have no doubt that plot reservations will come thick and fast.”

The development is sited on land formerly owned by Allens Caravans, adjacent to the A3400.

The development is due to be completed in Spring 2018.

Caption: (l-r) Renata Mosz, District Housing Enabler at Stratford-on-Avon District Council; Neil Gilliver, Developer Officer at Warwickshire Rural Housing Association; Cllr Mark McCall, Chair of Wootton Wawen Parish Council; Hazel Pennington, Project Manager at Waterloo Housing Group and John Gordon, Development and Enabling Officer at Stratford-on-Avon District Council.