Date published: 04 December 2025
A Somerset mum who struggles with mobility issues has told how moving into Stonewater’s landmark 8000th new home been ‘absolutely life changing’.
Anita Huggins moved from a first-floor flat in Wincanton to a spacious new bungalow at Mulberry Meadows in Castle Cary.
The move has been transformative for the 56-year-old and her family, giving her an accessible home that offers peace of mind and the confidence to live independently and comfortably for years to come.
Anita said: “Moving here has meant everything to me and my family. It’s such a lovely, comfortable, modern property with a very accessible layout. There’s so much space for me to move around in easily, and I’ve even had a wet room put in.
“It’s been absolutely life changing. I’m able to move around freely inside the house and do things like going outside to sit in my own garden, which I didn’t have before – it’s just brilliant..”
“Everybody living around here has been very friendly so I know that if I need anything, I can just go and knock on someone’s door, which is really nice.
She added: “It also means a lot for my future. I feel much more settled and secure, having a landlord like Stonewater. That gives me massive peace of mind and the reassurance that I’m going to be comfortable not just today, but also in the years to come.
“It is so comforting to know that, even if my health deteriorates as I get older, I’m living somewhere I can remain independent and live well in the long term.”
Anita’s home is the 8000th property Stonewater has built since its formation in 2015. The leading affordable housing provider celebrated the milestone with customers, colleagues and partners at the official opening of Mulberry Meadows in October.
The 125-home scheme, developed on the former Wayside Farm site, was built in partnership with Equans Regeneration, Baker Ruff Hannon and Somerset Council.
It offers a mix of one, two, three and four-bedroom homes across a range of tenures, including affordable rent, shared ownership and Rent to Buy.
Each property at Mulberry Meadows is built to a high-quality design, benefiting from high-performance insulation, EV charge points, large areas of green space and a play park.
To support customers who work from home, Stonewater has integrated flexible working spaces into some of the homes.
The development also features a striking piece of public artwork created by Coda Workshop, the first winners of Stonewater’s annual public art competition, the Blunden Prize.
Matthew Crucefix, Director of Development at Stonewater, said: “We’re delighted to welcome Anita to Mulberry Meadows, celebrate our 8000th home milestone with her and hear about the positive impact her new home has already had on her life.
“This landmark occasion reflects our ongoing commitment to providing high-quality, affordable homes in areas where they are most needed and, in turn, supporting communities to thrive.”
