THE story appeared in the Courier on Friday, May 1, issue 1031.

SEVEN new affordable homes, the first to be built in Sandford for 23 years, are now being occupied by local residents with a Sandford connection.

The remaining 12 homes, at the Creedy View development built by Falcon Rural Housing of Taunton, are on the market with Crediton estate agents, Helmores.

The houses were built as a result of a Sandford housing needs survey carried out by Sandford Parish Council in conjunction with Devon Communities Together in 2009, which suggested there was a need for more affordable homes in the village.

The parish council is now looking to the future and is already discussing carrying out a Sandford Neighbourhood Plan.

Would you like to see more affordable housing in the area?

Please let me know what you think. Contact me at 102 High Street, Crediton or email: [email protected]">[email protected] .

Readers are also invited to take part in the poll on the Courier website: http://www.creditoncouriernewspaper.co.uk">www.creditoncouriernewspaper.co.uk .

What you told us ..........

I'm all for it – My son and his family were lucky to get one of the new affordable homes. It's been 23 years since any affordable houses have been built in Sandford, so we are all for it.

Jill Webb, Sandford

I've got mixed feelings – I quite liked the fields. Although it is nice that some of the local people are able to move into affordable housing. I hope that it will be good for the school, but that depends on who moves into the area. It's nice if they have children.

Sandford Resident

We do need more houses. There is a shortage of houses for local people. It's good for those who want to live in the village and for children to go to Sandford School.

Sandford Resident

It's nice for young people – I live near the new houses and they don't bother me. I don't think there are enough affordable houses, more 2/3 bedroom houses are needed. The affordable homes offer security for young people. My daughter, who works locally, has had to move to Crediton.

Sandford Resident

Online Poll:

We asked our online readers: Do you think you were given enough election information to make an informed decision?

At the time of going to press the results showed:

Yes 76.5% No 23.5 %