Cotswold District Council has unveiled a new development of factory-built affordable homes in Moreton-in-Marsh.

This marks a significant milestone in the council's commitment to providing truly affordable and sustainable housing solutions for residents.

The regeneration of the former 24 properties at Stockwells by Gloucestershire-based housing association Bromford, represents the Cotswolds' first truly affordable, zero-carbon housing project, fulfilling a crucial need within the community.

The development of the 28 new homes incorporated modern methods of construction (MMC) to support the move towards delivering net-zero homes, featuring the Cotswolds' first factory-built, modular affordable homes.

Each of the modular homes was constructed in Yorkshire, before being transported to Moreton-in-Marsh and assembled on-site.

To further enhance the sustainability of the development, the council provided grant funding of £550,000 to include a range of energy-saving features. Air source heat pumps have been installed in place of traditional gas boilers, reducing CO2 emissions from heating and hot water by around 80%. In addition, the introduction of a large solar PV system will reduce the net carbon emissions of each of the homes to zero.

Cllr Juliet Layton, cabinet member for planning and regulatory services, said: "We are thrilled to celebrate the official opening of the Stockwells affordable housing site in Moreton-in-Marsh. This development not only addresses the pressing need for affordable housing in our district but also enriches the fabric of our communities.

"Providing sustainable and affordable homes for our residents is a top priority, and Stockwells represents a significant step forward in achieving this goal. I would like to thank our partners Bromford for their hard work."

Cllr Joe Harris, leader of Cotswold District Council, said: "It was quite something to see these homes delivered to the site on lorries and impressive how quickly they went up. The energy efficiency of the properties at Stockwells will help to reduce carbon emissions and lower utility costs for residents.

"We believe that by incorporating renewable energy sources and innovative technologies, we can not only combat climate change but also improve the quality of life for our residents."

Bromford project manager Millie Nicholls said: "We're incredibly proud of the new homes we have built at Stockwells, which utilise some of the latest technology to keep them warmer for longer while also reducing our customer's energy bills, making them the most energy-efficient homes we have ever built.

"It's five years since we announced our plans to regenerate the former non-traditional properties at Stockwells, so it's wonderful to now see these amazing new homes that we've built to replace them and are grateful to Cotswold District Council for their support in this development.

"All of the properties have already been let and we've begun welcoming customers into their new homes, where we wish them many years of happiness."

First factory-built homes arrive in Cotswolds