SEVENTEEN families have now got the keys to their new affordable homes in Bere Alston on a new development on Woolacombe Road.

The site is a mix of rented and shared properties in West Devon. With pressure on rural areas to build houses, West Devon Borough Council welcomes new housing developments which provide affordable homes for local people.

In an area which has a real need for homes for local people, the development on Woolacombe Road is made up of 17 100% affordable rented and shared ownership homes. There are 15 rented properties and two shared ownership houses.

The homes have what is called a ‘local occupancy agreement’, which means all tenants and owners must have a local connection to Bere Ferrers Parish and have lived there for at least six out of the last 12 months. The tenants moving in have all met this criteria and the last tenants have now finally moved in.

This is an unusual scheme at this time due to the reductions in government funding, but it was possible to deliver 100% affordable housing to an area which really needed it. The properties will be owned and managed by Hastoe, a specialist provider of rural affordable housing.

Cllr Graham Parker, lead member for Strategic Planning and Housing, said: ‘Affordable housing projects like this one enable people with local connections, or those who have lived in the area, to find homes. Making it easier to be near family, friends and work in rural areas of West Devon. We set out affordable housing requirements for developers across the borough and we’re pleased to see affordable housing projects in West Devon — an area which really needs homes for local people.’

Joanne Flint, Hastoe senior development officer, said: ‘At Hastoe, we take pride in managing homes for local people. These affordable housing projects make it possible for local people to continue living in areas they have called home for many years, which also helps keep local businesses going.

‘We’re delighted to see another of our schemes in Devon open its doors to local residents.’