THE way affordable housing in West Devon is allocated is being changed to make local connections even more important.

A minimum of 50% of new affordable homes built in Okehampton, Tavistock and Bere Alston will be allocated to people who live, work or have immediate family in the area.

Previously, new social housing in these areas could have been allocated to someone with a local connection to anywhere in West Devon.

The new policy also ensures that armed forces personnel, who may be serving away from West Devon for months, even years, are not disadvantaged when it comes to social housing allocation.   

Cllr Robert Oxborough, the council's community services chairman, said: 'It is right that we put local people first when it comes to our affordable housing allocation policy.

'This change will mean new affordable homes go to the people who need them most within individual communities.

'I am also delighted that we are recognising the particular needs of our dedicated armed forces personnel who often face particular challenges when it comes to housing.'

The existing housing allocation process for rural areas of West Devon, where there are fewer than 100 social housing properties, remains the same with vacancies allocated to people with a housing need and a local connection.

The borough council has to review its allocations policy regularly and the changes reflect the Localism Act 2011 which allows councils to shape their housing policy to take account of local needs.

For more information about the how local connections are defined, go to http://www.westdevon.gov.uk">www.westdevon.gov.uk or call the affordable housing team on 01822 813722.