THE first seven new affordable homes in 23 years are now in the process of being occupied in Creedy View, Sandford, thanks to the efforts of Sandford Parish Council.

It was back in 1992, thanks to land offered to the Devon Land Bank by the Munday family, that six new affordable homes at "Church Parks" became available to "Local people with a Sandford connection".

Malcolm Vallance, Sandford Parish Council clerk, explained: "The housing need was proven following the 1986 Sandford Village Appraisal which also suggested an extension to the Parish Hall which has since been built, an extension to the Churchyard which happened and is needed again!

"Other local issues were also achieved.

"As was the case in 1992, as now in 2015, many Sandford youngsters, although they had grown up in the village, could not afford to live there.

"In 2009 the parish council started to identify possible sites for further affordable homes in the parish."

It was in conjunction with Devon Communities Together, formerly the Community Council of Devon, that the parish carried out a "Sandford Housing Needs Survey" which proved, once again, that there was a further need for affordable homes in Sandford.

Mr Vallance added: "After many meetings and discussions a planning application was submitted by Summerfield Homes from Taunton for a development of 19 homes in Fanny's Lane, on land behind the Parish Hall.

"Of the 19 homes, seven are affordable homes, which is two three bedroom, two two bedroom and three one bedroom and these are to be occupied later this month (April)."

Since the granting of planning permission the parish council has been working with the affordable housing provider, Falcon Rural Housing.

Flyers were distributed throughout the parish advising parishioners that the homes would be up for offer to those with a "Sandford connection".