Press releases
Social Housing Article
17 Oct 2018
The Risky Business of Brexit
Despite the Prime Minister’s promise to make solving the housing crisis her single most important objective, it’s the ‘B’ word which continues to capture headlines and take centre stage as we hurtle towards the March deadline for leaving the EU.
Laptop gift boosts learning at St John’s Academy in Coleford
16 Oct 2018
Sixteen brand-new donated laptops will help pupils at Saint John’s Church of England Academy in Coleford learn essential skills for the future.
Comment piece - 24Housing
16 Oct 2018
S&P Global Ratings has assigned its 'A+' long-term issuer credit rating to UK-based social housing association Stonewater Ltd. John Bruton, Stonewater Executive Director Finance, explains how this was achieved.
Swindon celebrates International Coming Out Day with newly-launched LGBTQ+ youth group
15 Oct 2018
International Coming Out Day (11 October) was celebrated in Swindon this week with the launch of Out of the Can+, a LGBTQ+ action youth group at Stonewater’s new Swindon Community Hub on Bath Road. International Coming Out Day aims to raise awareness for the LGBTQ community and the civil rights movement.
Stonewater delivers 20 affordable rural homes for Long Itchington locals
08 Oct 2018
A smart new development of 20 affordable Stonewater homes for local people has opened in Lilac View, Long Itchington.
Nuneaton homeseekers to benefit from Stonewater low-cost shared ownership homes
05 Oct 2018
Stonewater has started construction on 27 new affordable homes at Feather Lane in Nuneaton, including eight two- and three-bedroom houses for shared ownership.
New affordable homes completed in Waterlooville
03 Oct 2018
Leading social housing provider Stonewater is celebrating the completion of a £4.8 million affordable homes development for local people in Waterlooville.
UK first - Stonewater and SovaCare pilot digital ‘experience tables’ in retirement living projects
01 Oct 2018
Stonewater, in partnership with health game software company SovaCare UK, has piloted an innovative interactive digital ‘experience table’ aimed at helping older residents, including individuals with dementia, improve memory recall, brain function and communication.
Conference highlights housing sector’s impact on economic growth
27 Sep 2018
Speaking at the West Yorkshire Economic Growth Conference in Leeds last week, Sue Shirt, Stonewater Executive Director Housing said that "when the CBI says that the lack of decent affordable housing is a real barrier to the success of business and the economy, we know we have a national problem".
‘Legendary’ local man shortlisted for national Foyer award
24 Sep 2018
Local youth worker Derek George, a concierge officer at the Exeter Foyer in Commercial Road, has been shortlisted for a Foyer Legend Award at the prestigious national Foyer Federation Spark Awards which recognise the achievements and dedication of Foyer staff across the country.
Nine unsung Swindon heroes recognised for going the ‘extra mile’
21 Sep 2018
Leading sheltered and supported housing provider Stonewater which owns and manages supported housing projects in Swindon, has been shortlisted for two top accolades at The Foyer Federation’s Spark Awards.
Stonewater welcomes £2bn fund for building low-cost homes
19 Sep 2018
As one of the UK's a leading social housing providers, Stonewater welcomes the announcement. While we await further details, our Board is committed to delivering an ambitious development programme of new affordable homes. The announcement represents a significant pledge by government which will allow us to plan more effectively for the long term and maximise the number of new homes we can build in future.
- Nicholas Harris, Chief Executive, Stonewater
Shared Ownership Week marked in Castle Cary as work starts on new affordable housing scheme
17 Sep 2018
Stonewater has marked national Shared Ownership Week (20-26 September) with the start of construction on 26 affordable homes which include eight low-cost ‘part buy, part rent’ shared ownership properties in Castle Cary.
Stonewater celebrates construction start on 14 affordable homes in Horsham
06 Sep 2018
Leading social housing provider Stonewater has celebrated the start of construction on 14 new affordable homes on land next to The Holbrook Club in North Heath Lane, Horsham.
Local veterans to gain construction skills and homes
03 Sep 2018
Herefordshire armed forces veterans will gain valuable construction skills and experience whilst building their own brand-new homes, thanks to an innovative community partnership being led by social housing provider Stonewater in Leominster.
Affordable homes to bring new life to former Leamington Spa cake factory
23 Aug 2018
Construction is under way on a scheme to build 40 much-needed affordable Stonewater homes for local people on the site of a former cake factory at Sydenham Farm, St Mary’s Road, Leamington Spa.
Construction starts on 44 affordable village homes in Houghton Conquest
20 Aug 2018
Construction has started on a much-needed new development of 44 affordable Stonewater village homes in Houghton Conquest near Bedford.
Stonewater responds to social housing green paper
14 Aug 2018
Stonewater is pleased that the long-awaited social housing green paper has been published. We welcome measures to improve tenant satisfaction and empowerment, especially measures to tackle the stigma sometimes associated with living in social housing. We always strive to do better for our customers and look forward to meeting these new challenges. Improved safety standards too are welcome if we are to avoid a tragedy like Grenfell from ever happening again, as are measures to improve access to low-cost home ownership.
Stonewater welcomes supported housing decision
09 Aug 2018
As a leading social housing provider with a wide range of supported accommodation, Stonewater welcomes the Government's decision to retain supported housing funding within the welfare system.
Stonewater appoints digital partner for ambitious transformation programme
09 Aug 2018
Leading social housing provider Stonewater has appointed website and software development agency Hallnet, to deliver a fully integrated, digital self-serve platform for its customers, using Hallnet’s Active Housing system.
Ratings Boost for Stonewater
08 Aug 2018
Stonewater, one of the UK’s leading social housing providers, has today been assigned a long-term rating of A+ by independent credit ratings agency, S&P Global Ratings. The outlook is Stable.
Old Seaton’s garage site provides 64 affordable new homes in West Hendford
07 Aug 2018
A ribbon-cutting performed by Councillor Ric Pallister from South Somerset District Council marked the unveiling of Fosse Park Road, a new £5.8 million development of 64 affordable new Stonewater homes on the former site of Seaton’s Garage on Seaton Road, in West Hendford, Yeovil.
Stonewater brings new life to former Queensway car park with 24 affordable apartments
03 Aug 2018
A ribbon-cutting ceremony has marked the official opening of 24 affordable rented apartments at social housing provider Stonewater’s Ben Jacobs Court development in Queensway, Yeovil.
25 new affordable homes help priced-out villagers stay in North Mundham
02 Aug 2018
Villagers being priced out of the housing market in North Mundham, West Sussex, have reason to celebrate this week with the opening of Stoney Meadow, a development of 25 affordable Stonewater homes.
New Foyer service provides safe temporary housing for young Poole parents
27 Jul 2018
A new service to temporarily house young families living in unsuitable emergency accommodation has been set up at Poole Foyer in Hill Street a time when the Borough faces a chronic shortage of affordable rental housing.
Stonewater takes stock of 309 affordable rental homes in Coventry
26 Jul 2018
Stonewater, a leading social housing provider in the West Midlands, has increased its growing portfolio of 877 affordable homes in Coventry to 1,186 following a stock transfer of 309 tenanted rental homes from The Guinness Partnership.
New Stonewater development boosts affordable housing in Market Harborough
18 Jul 2018
The opening of 18 affordable Stonewater homes in Market Harborough is set to help the district’s ambitious affordable housing development programme which saw 120 new homes built last year, up by a record-breaking 33 per cent on the Council’s 90-home target.
Stonewater celebrates completion of 30 much-needed affordable homes in Deddington
17 Jul 2018
Leading social housing provider Stonewater has celebrated the official opening of 30 brand-new homes at Banbury Road in Deddington for local people struggling to find affordable homes in the area.
15 new Stonewater homes in Wincanton set to help renters onto the property ladder
12 Jul 2018
Leading social housing provider Stonewater has celebrated the start of construction on its 15-affordable-home Balsam Park development in Wincanton, which is being built to help people struggling to get themselves out of rented housing and onto the property ladder.
Stonewater welcomes new Housing Minister
09 Jul 2018
“Stonewater welcomes the new Housing and Planning Minister Kit Malthouse’s appointment today and we hope for a period of continuity and stability in the housing sector to support and help deliver the Government’s ambitious housing agenda.”
Nicholas Harris, Chief Executive, Stonewater
Rural Housing Week marked at much-needed affordable village development in West Sussex
06 Jul 2018
Leading social housing provider Stonewater has marked Rural Housing Week (2-6 July) in Coldwaltham, West Sussex, by giving delivery partners, local councils and nearby St James’ School a sneak peek at its almost-complete new affordable rental housing development, Shackleton Close.
Coleford has 62 reasons to celebrate Rural Housing Week
06 Jul 2018
Rural Housing Week (2-6 July) was marked in Coleford with the completion of 62 affordable market town homes at Thurstan’s Rise, a 156-home development at Owen Farm.
Local MP visits innovative Stonewater low-cost housing scheme at church in Tilehurst
04 Jul 2018
Local MP for Reading West and Minister of State for Employment, Alok Sharma, visited St George’s Church in Tilehurst where construction is progressing on an urgently-needed new community facility and 12 one- and two-bedroom Stonewater homes for affordable rent.
Dorset village scheme highlights the challenges of creating affordable rural housing
03 Jul 2018
Leading social housing provider Stonewater has celebrated the start of Rural Housing Week (2-6 July) at its upcoming 13-home affordable village development in Winterbourne Abbas, near Dorchester.
Rural Housing Week: Shortage of affordable village homes is sucking the life out of rural Britain
02 Jul 2018
Providing a small number of affordable homes which meet the needs and aspirations of local people could make the difference between village shops, post offices, pubs and schools staying open and available for the wider community or being forced to close.
Stonewater film highlights innovative schemes that are tackling affordable housing crisis
27 Jun 2018
A short Stonewater film about the positive impact sheltered and affordable housing has on the lives of some of the most vulnerable homeless groups premiers this week (26-29 June) at the Chartered Institute of Housing’s (CIH) Housing 2018 national conference in Manchester – Europe’s largest housing event.
Government’s £1.67 billion social housing deal is good news for rural and ‘new town’ communities
26 Jun 2018
“The Housing Secretary’s announcement on more funding for the social housing sector today is good news for rural and 'new town' communities where there is a chronic and increasing shortage of homes for social rent which young families so desperately need. As a housing association with an ambitious development strategy focused on bringing more affordable housing to these communities, we are pleased to see a commitment to targeted investment in areas where there is a significant affordability gap between the average housing costs in the local open rented market and average costs in the social rented sector. Many of these are in Stonewater’s operating areas across the South, South West and South East and pockets of the Midlands. We also hope this investment will be supported by continuing planning reform so that these urgently-needed homes can be delivered quickly where they are needed most.”
– Jonathan Layzell, Stonewater Executive Director for Development
Stonewater makes a stand for women in crisis
22 Jun 2018
Stonewater, a leading social housing provider, has joined a national campaign to tackle domestic abuse within its housing communities across England.
Harriett Baldwin MP visits Great Witley village scheme to discuss affordable rural housing
12 Jun 2018
MP Harriett Baldwin joined social housing provider Stonewater for a tour of a small development of 10 affordable village homes in Glendower Way, Great Witley where she met residents.
Work starts on 70 new affordable homes to combat housing shortage in Faringdon
07 Jun 2018
A turf-cutting ceremony has marked the start of construction on an exciting new village development of 70 affordable Stonewater homes for local people at Fern Hill Gardens, off the Coxwell Road, on the south-west side of Faringdon.
Stonewater village scheme to help 36 households find affordable homes in Mosterton
05 Jun 2018
A turf cutting ceremony has marked the start of construction on 36 much-needed affordable Stonewater homes for local people in Mosterton Village near Beaminster. The new development of 28 houses and eight bungalows in Windsor Close, on the south-west edge of the village, will provide a mix of low-cost rental, shared ownership and Rent to Buy homes.
Swindonians invited to shape new Community Hub services at all-week free coffee morning
04 Jun 2018
Swindonians have an opportunity to shape the services of the new Swindon Community Hub in Old Town this week (4-8 June) at a Community Consultation Coffee Morning in the former Slinky Hairdresser’s building at 17 Bath Road from 10:00am to 12:00 noon.
Work starts on innovative affordable housing scheme that’s funding St George’s new community hub in Tilehurst
30 May 2018
Construction started this week on an innovative development that will transform a derelict church hall and brownfield site within the grounds of St George’s multi-ethnic church in St George’s Road, Tilehurst, into an urgently-needed new community centre and 12 affordable rental homes for local people.
Stonewater cuts Weobley residents’ heating costs with innovative pilot heating system
28 May 2018
An innovative new heating system which will significantly reduce residents’ heating costs has been installed at a development of 49 one- and two-bedroom bungalows in Burton Gardens, Weobley.
Council opens new Stonewater development of low-cost rental homes in Aldershot
18 May 2018
Rushmoor Borough Council’s Councillor Mike Roberts cut the ribbon this week at the official opening of social housing provider Stonewater’s new £1 million development of eight one- and two-bedroom low-cost rental apartments in Aldershot.
Stonewater marks start of New Homes Week by boosting affordable housing development
17 May 2018
Marking the start of national New Homes Week (14-18 May), social housing provider Stonewater, which recently opened nine new low-cost rental apartments in Priory Bridge Road, Taunton, has announced ambitious plans to boost its housebuilding programme.
Experts gather at Bristol housing conference as rural South West faces affordable homes crisis
17 May 2018
Thousands of affordable rural homes are urgently needed in the South West to avoid the region’s rural towns and villages becoming pockets for only pensioners and wealthy second home-owners. The warning from social housing provider Stonewater comes during New Homes Week (14-18 May) as housing professionals from across the region gather for the Chartered Institute of Housing’s (CIH) South West Housing Conference in Bristol (16-17 May).
Stonewater marks start of New Homes Week by boosting affordable housing development.
16 May 2018
Marking the start of national New Homes Week (14-18 May), social housing provider Stonewater, which recently opened a new development of 14 affordable homes for rent and shared ownership off Highworth Road in Shrivenham, has announced ambitious plans to boost its housebuilding programme.
Stonewater marks start of New Homes Week by boosting affordable housing development
14 May 2018
Marking the start of national New Homes Week (14-18 May), social housing provider Stonewater, which recently opened a new development of 35 affordable homes for rent and shared ownership at Hay Grove in Weston-super-Mare, has announced ambitious plans to boost its housebuilding programme.
Coldwaltham youngsters inspire chainsaw artist’s village sculpture
09 May 2018
Youngsters at St James’ Primary School in Coldwaltham, have been busy helping renowned West Sussex chainsaw carver Dave Lucas from the Woodland Centre, develop ideas for a public artwork at the new Shackleton Close affordable housing development, due for completion in August this year.
