WEST Devon Homes unveiled its latest housing developments in Okehampton recently, making further progress towards their target of 150 new homes in West Devon by the end of 2004.

The housing developments are at Berryball Close and Ockington Close in Okehampton ? chair of the board Simon Howes and chair of West Devon Borough Council?s future planning and housing committee Margaret Garton handed keys to new resident Ronald Steer.

Simon Howes said the company had come a long way in its first four years.

Mr Howes said: ?We are determined to continue by delivering more development to meet the growing need for affordable housing locally.?

As Okehampton is the second largest settlement in the area, it was identified as a priority area for affordable housing.

Work has just finished on the Berryball Close homes, which comprise four two-bedroom houses and four one-bedroom flats. The council and the housing corporation provided grant funding towards the development, matching West Devon Homes? private finance on the £340,000 project.

The Ockington Close development comprises four three-bedroom and six two-bedroom houses and four one-bedroom flats. The council and housing corporation provided grants to match fund West Devon Homes? contribution at this £925,000 development.

Two of the houses were developed as shared ownership properties, giving two families their first chance to become owners. Midas Homes were the contractors for the scheme, designed by Ford, Gilpin and Riley.

West Devon Homes ? which started trading in February 1999 and is a registered social landlord and charity ? has now completed work on 1200 homes and committed more than £7 million on repairs and improvements.

The company has bought 19 houses, flats and bungalows and built a further 32 prior to the completion of the work at Okehampton ? in Mary Tavy, Yelverton and Tavistock.

A further 45 homes are already under

construction in Tavistock, Lifton, North Tawton and Spreyton.

Twelve new flats should be constructed in Lamerton and Horrabridge by June, followed by 22 flats in Tavistock and five new houses in Okehampton.