Derelict garages and a portion of existing garden have provided space for two new sustainable homes in Bishops Castle, including one with tailor-made adaptations.
Social landlord, South Shropshire Housing Association, has had the two bungalows built to add to the homes it already owns and manages in the town. Both feature rainwater harvesting and solar panels.
One of the bungalows has been allocated to tenants Diane and Michael Collins and includes adaptations designed specifically, to assist Mrs Collins' brother, who lives with them and has limited mobility.
The development is a perfect example of how Shropshire Council and SSHA worked in partnership bringing together funding from the Homes and Communities Agency and Shropshire Council funding to improve the quality of life of a local person..
The new home has allowed the Collins' to move from a two-storey property elsewhere in the town.
The development was made possible with the co-operation of neighbours, Bob and Rosemary Hamar, who allowed a portion of their garden to be used, along with the site of derelict garages, for the plot.
Executive Director for Assets and Development of Shropshire Housing Group, Paul Sutton, said: “With this project we have been able to provide much more suitable accommodation for Mr and Mrs Collins and deliver something that suits them specifically and will improve their quality of life. It's a huge credit to Mr and Mrs Hamar who showed incredible community spirit and were very helpful throughout the building. They made this possible and we are all extremely grateful.”
The rainwater harvesters on the two properties allow them to store water from the gutters in underground tanks for use in toilet flushing and washing machines, significantly cutting mains water bills, while the solar panels will generate up to 60 per cent of the hot water used in the bungalows
South Shropshire Housing Association is part of Shropshire Housing Group, along with Meres and Mosses Housing Association, in north Shropshire, and property maintenance firm, Total Response Limited.
The group has an ongoing programme of new builds and major improvements to existing properties which continues to deliver both new and improved homes to its