Teign Housing’s new affordable Housing scheme at 1-17 (odds) Brook Lane Cottages is delivering 8 new homes for rent. Two 1 bedroom, two 2 bedroom and  four 3 bedroom homes will be available. Homes to rent will be advertised on Devon Home Choice usually around 8 weeks before they are due for completion. Completion is likely to be between July and early autumn 2023.

How to apply

To qualify you must have a housing need and a local connection. To be assessed you will need to register on Devon Home Choice.

You can register or update your application with Devon Home Choice. To be considered for these rented homes you will need to be;

• in housing need as defined by Devon Home Choice (awarded band A-D)
• have an active Devon Home Choice application (your application must be renewed 12 months from the date you registered)
• and to be able to register a bid when these homes are advertised 

When can I register?

As soon as possible. It takes an average of 20 days to assess an application. This is longer if more information is needed.

Do I need to renew my registration if I am already registered?

If you are already registered but have not indicated on your application that you believe you have a parish local connection, please update your Devon Home Choice application with this information. You may be asked to provide evidence of this local connection if shortlisted for a property.

Your application must be renewed 12 months from the date you registered. It is very important you check your registration date and make sure you have an up to date form before you bid. This includes any change in your circumstances.

Local Connection

Preference for allocation of these new homes will be given to applicants who have a local connection to the parish of Widecombe-in-the Moor in the first instance, then to parishes of Buckland-in-the-Moor, Holne, Manaton, that part of Ilsington that is in the National Park and Dartmoor Forest. This will then cascade to the remainder of Dartmoor National Park and then Teignbridge. 

Local Connection can be as a result of:

• Currently living in the Parish of Widecombe-in-the Moor for at least 5 years
• Previously having lived in Widecombe-in-the Moor for 5 years but moved away within the past 5 years
• Working in the parish for not less than 16 hours per week and having done so for at least 26 weeks, or
• Having a strong local connection through upbringing, employment or a requirement to provide substantial care for a family member who lives in the parish and has done so for 5 years.

When the homes will be advertised

The builders will give Teign Housing notice of the completion date 8 weeks before they estimate the homes will be ready. Teign Housing will then tell key partners including the Parish Council, who will put a notice on their website. We are not sure of the date as it will depend on progress with the build. But keep a look out from early July through to September 2023.

The adverts will be put up at midnight on a Tuesday and will be up for at least 13 days to midnight on the second Monday. You do not need to be first to bid. The system will organise the shortlist on basis of banding and time in band automatically.

It is likely that the homes are advertised in 2 or more batches as the planning agreements says not more than 5 homes can be advertised at any one time.

How to bid for a home

If you are registered and have a log in, you can bid on-line through the Devon Home Choice website as soon as the adverts are on the site. The advert will include a link to the Local Connection requirements.

When the bids close Teign Housing will draw up a short-list.

You can request an auto bid. You need to state the Parish in which you want to autobid. This will mean that you will be bidding for all vacancies in Widecombe-in-the Moor but you can decline an offer if it is not suitable. You will need to email devonhomechoice@teignbridge.gov.uk to request an autobid form.

What is a Community Contribution

A Community Contribution is a policy that applies to exception sites in rural areas. It allows people who would have been in Band E, and are no longer eligible to qualify for an affordable home. You will need a local connection to Widecombe-in-the-Moor and have made a community contribution through voluntary work over a minimum of 2 years for an average of 2 Hours per week. The aim is help the sustainability of our rural communities by enabling people with a strong local connection to remain in their communities.

The list of voluntary activities is specific to each community. The list has been agreed with Widecombe Parish Council. The Community Contribution must be made by the applicant or an adult member of the household.

How to register a Community Contribution

To apply please request an application form by contacting devonhomechoice@teignbridge.gov.uk. Further information is available if you have any questions. 

This form should only be completed by applicants who have applied to Devon Home Choice and have been told they do have a Local Connection to Widecombe-in-the Moor.