NORTH Somerset Council held a ribbon-cutting ceremony last week to open the first show home at the Winterstoke Gate development in Weston's Parklands Village.

Over the next five years, Keepmoat Homes will deliver 425 homes, 125 of which will be affordable, at the development. This is in keeping with the council's Development Programme.

The site has also benefited from £10m from the Government’s Local Authority Accelerated Construction Fund administered by Homes England.

There will also be a focus on sustainability and modern technology. 139 of the homes will be zero carbon, and the rest will use air source heat pumps, solar panels and insulation to achieve a 70 to 80 per cent carbon reduction.

85 of the properties will be adaptable or accessible for those with existing mobility issues, as well as those who may develop them during their lifetimes.

Electric Vehicle charging, smart home automation, aerated taps and more will be available.

Councillor Mike Bell, leader of North Somerset Council, said: “Winterstoke Gate is the first major residential project to be taken forward as part of North Somerset’s Development Programme, so it’s great to showcase the quality that will be on offer when the first homes are ready next year. 

“By building to top standards of sustainability and energy efficiency, we can also cut carbon and fuels bills, leading by example in the standards we expect from modern housing in North Somerset, making the homes more affordable to run. 

“It’s equally important we provide a mix of affordable and accessible homes, so vibrant and diverse communities can grow. Working in partnership with Keepmoat to build on council-owned land has enabled us to prioritise this strong and community-focussed approach to housing development. 

“Good housing development also relies on an understanding of the bigger picture and residents needs. With that in mind, we’re proud to be making good progress on other facilities that will serve Winterstoke Gate and Locking Parklands in years to come. 

“This includes new primary and secondary schools and the 168 Parklands Medical Centre, providing services local people need, right on their doorstep.” 

Amanda Bishop, regional managing director at Keepmoat West Midlands said: “We are delighted to be working with North Somerset Council, Homes England and Alliance Homes to deliver a total of 425 new sustainable and accessible homes, with 125 of those being affordable. 

“This is an exciting time for North Somerset and at Keepmoat we’re committed to working with our key partners."