Newport Affordable Housing Development Welcomes First Families

A major affordable housing development in Newport is beginning to make a difference for Island families, with the first homes now handed over at the Three Oaks site.

The development, delivered through a partnership between Sovereign Network Group, Captiva Homes and the Isle of Wight Council, will provide 145 affordable homes in total, making it one of the largest schemes of its kind on the Island in recent years.

The first 28 homes were completed and handed over to families before Christmas.

Once finished, the site will include 87 homes for social rent and 58 available through Shared Ownership.

Sovereign Network Group will own and manage the homes, while Captiva Homes is responsible for construction.

The Isle of Wight Council says the scheme has been designed to directly address local housing needs, with all social rent properties allocated to people on the Island’s housing waiting list under a legally binding Local Lettings Plan.

The council says this approach will help support Island residents already in social housing, free up other properties and reduce pressure on the housing register.

Demand for the homes has been described as extremely high, reflecting the ongoing need for affordable housing on the Isle of Wight.

The Three Oaks development includes a range of property sizes, including larger homes designed for families of up to eight people.

These are intended to help households move out of temporary accommodation into permanent homes.

The homes are being built to high environmental standards, with energy-efficient designs aimed at reducing carbon emissions by more than 75 per cent.

Developers say this will make the properties warmer, cheaper to run and better for the environment.

Jenny Grote, Land and New Business Director at Sovereign Network Group, said the project shows what can be achieved when housing providers, councils and developers work together.

Captiva Homes chief executive Iain Delaney said the development has been shaped around Island needs and will have a lasting impact on the local community.

Council leader Phil Jordan said the Three Oaks scheme plays a vital role in helping Island residents remain safely and securely housed, adding that partnership working is key to tackling local housing challenges.

Further homes at Three Oaks are due to be completed and handed over in phases over the coming months, including both social rent and Shared Ownership properties.