Middleton – Rural Exception Site – Parish Council in partnership with Hastoe Housing Association
The opening of a Rural Exception Site scheme in Middleton in East Suffolk took place in October 2022. The scheme was initiated by the parish council with support from the Rural Housing Enabler at Community Action Suffolk. CAS undertook a local housing needs survey on behalf of the parish which highlighted the need for affordable housing for local people. The scheme was then developed by registered provider Hastoe Housing in partnership with the parish council.
The development provides six new homes, including three 2-bedroom houses for social rent, as well as a 2-bedroom house and two 2-bedroom bungalows for shared ownership. All the homes have been prioritised for people with a local connection to Middleton, such as those working in the village, those with close family in the area, or those who previously lived there but were forced to move out because of a lack of affordable housing.
The homes are energy efficient, and are a minimum EPC band B rating, with reduced heat loss through improved air tightness and A+ rated double glazed windows. The scheme also provided 2 serviced plots with planning permission to be used by self-builders.
