BUILDING work has started on eight new affordable homes in Cheriton Bishop, with hopes that they will be completed by the autumn of 2018.

Cheriton Bishop Community Land Trust will own the development and lease the properties to Hastoe Housing Association which is overseeing the development and will administer the homes.

Applicants with a local connection such as family, prior residence or employment, will receive priority, and need to be registered with Devon Home Choice.

“The Community Land Trust has worked for six years to develop these homes to meet local need,” said CLT Chair Tim Gorringe. “We’ve had fantastic support from Wessex Community Land Trust, and Mid Devon has also been very supportive.”

Pete Friend of Hastoe Housing Association said: “We are pleased to be working with the Cheriton Bishop CLT and Classic Builders SW Ltd to deliver these much-needed affordable homes for local people in Cheriton Bishop.

“House prices in Mid Devon have nearly doubled in the last 20 years compared to earnings, leaving home ownership and private rents out of reach of many families.

“This makes these new affordable homes especially welcome. At Hastoe, we deliver well-designed, energy efficient homes that local people can afford and we’re in it for the long term.”

At a recent public drop-in information session in Cheriton Bishop Village Hall on March 13, there was much interest in the homes, and a further drop-in session will be held in June or July.

COMMUNITY LED HOUSING

Devon Rural Housing Partnership is organising an event to explore a range of Community Led Housing models with a particular focus on Community Land Trusts.

Central Government has recently awarded more than £5 million to rural Local Authorities in Devon to be used for Community Led affordable housing projects.

The event, at Cheriton Bishop Village Hall on Tuesday, April 17 (10am – 4pm), will discuss the issues around Community Led Housing and highlight the benefits of Community Land Trusts in bringing affordable housing forward.

If you would like any further information please telephone Sue or Janice on 01392 248919.