AT the end of January, eight affordable homes for rent were completed in Cheriton Bishop and tenants were able to move in.

Local residents had worked hard to form the Community Land Trust which owns the properties, built by Hastoe Housing association and leased to them to administer.

“It’s been a bit of a rocky road,” said CLT secretary Gill Westcott. “We have had to go back to the drawing board several times to make the finances work, to cope with changes in government policy, and then when Brexit caused the pound to fall and costs rose.”

Mid Devon District Council supported the project throughout with both advice and finance.

At a recent celebratory event in Cheriton Bishop Village Hall, the CLT chairman Tim Gorringe thanked all those who had contributed to the new homes, including local CLT members and supporters, district and county councillors, Devon Communities Together, Hastoe Housing Association and Classic Builders.

He made special mention of Steve Watson from Wessex Community Land Trust who had guided and supported the Community Land Trust for five years and helped overcome many obstacles.

The tenants for the new homes are all from the local area, as specified in the letting plan.