Four nifty new bungalows available to over-55s in Ribble Valley village

A new bungalow in the picturesque village of Chipping could be yours for under £400 a month from August.
Four new bungalows are available for affordable rent in Chipping.Four new bungalows are available for affordable rent in Chipping.
Four new bungalows are available for affordable rent in Chipping.

Four much-needed bungalows for affordable rent are nearing completion at the Fellside development, off Church Raike, thanks in part to a unique partnership between Ribble Valley Borough Council and the Chipping, Leagram and Thornley Community Land Trust.

Three of the bungalows have been acquired by the trust with the help of a £115,000 council grant and are available for rent at around £393 a month, specifically by the over-55s from Chipping or surrounding villages.

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The eco-friendly properties are powered by air source heat pumps that absorb heat from the air to provide heating and hot water.

The nifty one-bedroom bungalows also feature dedicated parking and front and back gardens.

The Chipping, Leagram and Thornley Community Land Trust – the first community land trust in Lancashire – was set up with the backing of Ribble Valley Borough Council to develop affordable properties in the village, which has an extremely high income-to-house-price ratio.

It has already successfully developed seven apartments in the village and the £115,000 council grant has met half the cost of three of the four new homes.

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Bridget Hilton, chairman of Ribble Valley Borough Council’s health and housing committee, said: “Community-led housing is about local people playing a leading role in solving local housing problems, creating genuinely affordable homes and strong communities in ways that are more difficult to achieve through mainstream housing.

“Chipping is one of several villages in Ribble Valley with a chronic lack of affordable housing and the trust is a powerful example of a community transforming its future.

“We are delighted to have supported this scheme, which will provide vital affordable rented accommodation for mature residents in Chipping in perpetuity.”

House prices in Ribble Valley are way above the national average and Ribble Valley Borough Council has joined forces with community groups and housing associations to tackle the borough’s chronic shortage of affordable homes.

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And over 100 further houses for affordable rent, shared ownership, discount sale, rent-to-buy or specifically for the over-55s will be available throughout the borough over the coming months to people with a local connection.

To register for one of the Chipping bungalows, or any affordable property in the Ribble Valley, phone the council’s housing team on 01200 425111.