LOCAL housing provider Guinness Hermitage, a member of the Guinness Partnership, which is one of the leading affordable housing providers in the country, has completed the construction of 10 new homes in the Newcombes area of Crediton.

Guinness Hermitage have been working closely with CG Fry and Sons Ltd to build the much needed affordable homes for rent. The homes are part-funded by the Homes and Communities Agency (HCA) and Mid Devon District Council.

Mid Devon District Council portfolio holder for housing, Cllr Ray Stanley, commented: "In recent years, only a small amount of affordable housing for rent has been developed in Crediton, so we welcomed this provision by Guinness Hermitage.

"Statistics from the Housing Waiting List show that there is a shortage of three bed homes and one bed accommodation for rent, so this scheme will help alleviate this burden and help reduce the waiting list."

The new homes have been built to Level Three of the Code for Sustainable Homes, which means that all aspects of the house and its construction are designed to be at least 25 per cent more efficient than new builds that meet the current building regulations standards.

Siân Radmore, Guinness Hermitage's project manager said: "Guinness Hermitage are delighted to be providing homes for local people in Mid-Devon.

"We have received enormous support from the local community and Mid Devon District Council during the construction process.

"Our contractors CG Fry and Sons Ltd have worked tirelessly to complete the project on time, despite some delays early on."