TWO affordable housing schemes in the Forest have been recognised by a countywide awards scheme.

The Campaign to Protect Rural England (CPRE) gave Gloucestershire Rural Excellence Awards to schemes in Cinderford and St Briavels.

“Six awards were presented this year and two went to affordable local housing schemes in the Forest,” said Professor Patricia Broadfoot, chair of CPRE Gloucestershire.

“Kings Lodge, in Cinderford, is a development of 92 houses on a brownfield site that was originally the abattoir. Thirty two of the houses are affordable rent properties and five are in shared ownership.

“This development was an excellent example of partnership between the Forest of Dean District Council, the Homes and Communities Agency, Two Rivers Housing and Kier Partnership Homes.”

In St Briavels, an award was given for the Whittington Close development, where nine affordable homes have been built by another partnership between the district council, the Guinness Partnership, Gloucestershire Rural Housing Partnership and St Briavels Parish Council.

“Without the patience and dedication of the people involved with these partnerships, this kind of housing would not be appearing in our county,” added Professor Patricia Broadfoot.

“It is so important that we show our support for this kind of collaboration at a time when our countryside is beleaguered by poor development.

“When we are seeing wrong houses being built in the wrong pla- ces across the county, it is encouraging for us to recognise well designed, well built affordable housing

in Gloucestershire.

“This is how it can be done. These are showcases of housing designed for our young people, young families and communities. We need to shout out about it.”

This is the 11th year of the CPRE’s Rural Excellence Awards.

They are awarded to projects in the county that are outstanding in their contribution to the rural environment or the local community.