Scheme helps family get on the ladder (From Chard & Ilminster News)

Scheme helps family get on the ladder

8:39am Friday 29th December 2006 in Chard By Joanna Glover

A YOUNG Chard family have been able to get a foot on the housing ladder thanks to a new housing development and shared ownership scheme.

James and Suzanne Pickrell and their son, Harrison, moved into their new home at the recently completed development at Jarman Way, Chard, earlier this year.

A total of 16 affordable homes have been built at the site with four being sold for shared ownership and 12 offered for rent.

Geoff Atkinson, chief executive at housing association South Somerset Homes said: "Shared ownership does what it says on the tin.

"Ordinary hard-working people like James and Suzanne who have been unable to buy their own home outright due to the high house prices are able to buy a 50% share in their property and pay rent on the remainder.

He added: "They will have the opportunity to staircase up until eventually they own it all."

Suzanne, 25, and James, 26 were previously living in private rented housing and said being able to buy their own home was something they didn't think was possible.

Suzanne said: "We wanted so much to buy our own house but simply could not afford it.

"Buying our house through shared ownership has been the perfect solution for us as we are now on the property ladder in an affordable way."

She added: "Having a brand new home is fantastic - we are so happy with our new home especially because it is ours."

Graham Cook, head of property management at South Somerset Homes, explained the efficient build technique.

He said: "Using these modern methods of construction helps to improve quality and reduce the amount of time on-site which means residents can be moved back into their new home much quicker than if the homes were built traditionally.

"Visually there is no difference, either internally or externally."

The development has been built by South Somerset Homes' partnering constructor Rok, with the timber frame walls and other elements designed and provided by Frame UK, the leading providers of timber frame homes.