340-home scheme in Wiltshire gets go-ahead

The government has backed a PFI project to build 350 new homes in Wiltshire.

The 340 home scheme, backed by £77m of government investment, is being built by housing association Sarsen Housing, housebuilder Persimmon Homes and Westbury Partnerships.

The scheme is one of the 13 the government said it would back as long as they passed a value for money review.

The council now has to produce a final business case to be signed off by the Homes and Communities Agency, the Department for Communities and Local Government (DCLG) and the Treasury.

John Thomson, cabinet member for housing, said: “I am really pleased we have been able to work with the Government to ensure these 350 much-needed affordable homes can be built, despite the difficult financial times.

“It is especially important during the economic downturn that we are able to provide enough good quality accommodation for Wiltshire’s residents.”

HCA executive director for the South and South West, Colin Molton, said: “It’s great news that the government has signalled its continued support for this project, which has the potential to make a huge difference to local communities across Wiltshire. 

“We look forward to continuing to work with the council to finalise the agreement and move this through to the next stage.”

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