Persimmon and Selwood Housing Partner to Deliver Affordable Homes at Oak Hill Rise in Chippenham
A new housing partnership has been cemented between Persimmon Homes Wessex and Selwood Housing, aiming to tackle local housing demand in Wiltshire. The two organisations have exchanged contracts for the delivery of six high-quality homes at the Oak Hill Rise development in Chippenham.
Part of a larger 95-home project on a previously underused brownfield site off Malmesbury Road, the six homes—four for affordable rent and two for shared ownership—will be handed over to Selwood Housing upon completion. In total, 26 of the new properties are designated for Selwood Housing customers.
Oak Hill Rise is being developed to meet the needs of first-time buyers, families, and downsizers. All homes will be zero-carbon-ready, with no reliance on gas. Instead, they will feature air source heat pumps, solar panels, and electric vehicle charging points to promote energy efficiency and sustainability.
The development will also bring community benefits, including new publicly accessible green space, a pedestrian and cycle link, and biodiversity improvements such as bird and bat boxes. Additionally, more than £1 million will be invested in local infrastructure, enhancing schools, play areas, and sports facilities.
Homes currently available for open-market sale at Oak Hill Rise start from £284,500, with a mix of two- and three-bedroom properties built by Persimmon.
As part of its broader commitment to community support, Persimmon donates £700,000 annually through its Community Champions scheme. Local beneficiaries have included Chippenham Teen Takeover, Doorway Wiltshire, and Julia’s House Children’s Hospice.
Seb Spiller, Managing Director of Persimmon Homes Wessex, expressed his enthusiasm for the partnership:
“We are delighted to be working with Selwood Housing on our Oak Hill Rise development. These homes will provide much-needed affordable housing for local people, helping to meet a growing demand in Chippenham and across Wiltshire.
“Persimmon is focused on creating lasting, positive legacies in the communities where we build, and partnerships like this are key to that mission.”
Paul Walsh, Group Development Director at Selwood Housing, echoed the sentiment:
“Collaborations with developers like Persimmon are vital for us to support local people in securing stable and affordable homes.
“This initial phase at Oak Hill Rise represents a meaningful step in helping people get onto the housing ladder in what continues to be a challenging market.”
