Houses completed as part of Plymouth’s latest veterans’ self-build scheme are set to become homes, as the first phase of the project completes.
The Stirling Project, based on the site of a former residential care home on Honicknowle Green, has seen nine previously homeless veterans involved in the construction of 25 self-contained affordable homes to rent.
Thanks to a partnership between Plymouth City Council, housing association LiveWest and veterans’ charity Alabaré, 12 of the plots are being built, and will be subsequently lived in, by the veterans themselves.
With three of the new homes now complete, one veteran and his family have been able to move into their new house, along with two local families who had been in need of housing.
Each finished home is fully electric with air source heat pumps and high energy efficiency.
Councillor Rebecca Smith, Cabinet member for Home and Communities, said: “I am so pleased that the Stirling Project has arrived at this significant milestone and that families will be able to benefit from the hard work that the vets have put in on site.
“The first phase of the project looks fantastic and I can’t wait to see the project finished next year.”
Russell Baldwinson, Executive Director of Development for LiveWest, said: “It is fantastic to see three of the new homes completed and our customers moving in.
“While the scheme is to be delivered as socially rented affordable housing, we have been working with Alabaré Veterans Self-Build Scheme in allocating up to 12 properties within the development to let to military veterans.
“They have been given the opportunity to participate in the actual build of the scheme, overseen by the contractor, to gain experience and potentially work their way towards a qualification. It is great to be able to deliver more affordable homes in the city.”
Major (Ret’d) Ken Hames MBE, Chief Operating Officer for Alabaré Veterans Self-Build, said: “Alabaré’s second veteran self-build scheme in Plymouth marks a significant milestone in our delivery of transitional programmes for veterans. We are not just building houses we are also building lives, providing the right support and challenge to learn skills, find a job and maintain independent living.
"Self-build is a metaphor for growth and exciting possibilities, and I commend the scheme for its resilience and high social impact. We are already looking forward to the next scheme where we will continue our mission to deliver high performance success factors, and real hope for those veterans who have struggled with civilian life."
Case study
Adrian Colwill joined the forces at the age of 16 and served in the Royal Artillery before performing a number of successful roles, including managing a hotel, when he eventually left the military.
During this time, Adrian experienced some mental health challenges which, despite being years after leaving the forces, left him on the brink of becoming homeless.
Now Adrian is enjoying a new chapter in his life after becoming involved in the Stirling Project and putting the finishing touches to his own home.
Adrian said: "It Is not just about building a home but giving me access to those skills and trades that you wouldn’t normally have access to. This experience has supplied me with the training to help me with my career after the build is finished.
“It is unfathomable that I have been supported and helped in this way.
“It is humbling to think that Plymouth City Council, LiveWest, Alabare and Coye Construction have all sat down together to think about a miliary veteran’s needs.
“It means that I have not just got a house, but I have a future now.
“My family just broke down in tears when we found out we would be getting the keys before Christmas. It is more than we could have ever asked for and it will be one heck of a present.”
The Stirling Project, which began construction in July 2021, follows on from the completion of the Nelson Project in October 2017.
This multi award-winning scheme saw the construction of a 24-home development that includes 12 self-build homes for military veterans and 12 mixed use affordable homes, including supported housing.
Totnes-based, Coyde Construction, has been contracted to build the Stirling House scheme which has been designed by architects Form Design.
Of the 25 homes, 19 will be one and two-bedroom flats together with two, three and four-bedroom housing.
Once complete, all of the homes will be let by LiveWest at a subsidised social rent, in order to provide support for households in high need.
The large four-bedroom house has also been designed as a wheelchair adapted property, helping to address the significant shortage of such properties across the city.
The project will benefit from grant-funding from government housing agency Homes England.