Affordable homes at Wheddon Cross, Exmoor, have been officially opened by children from the local primary school.
The 10 new properties in Meadow Close, Cutcombe, are being rented to local people by Magna West Somerset Housing Association.
On Friday 16 September, pupils from Cutcombe First School planted a tree to mark the completion of the £1.2 million scheme, which is part of a unique rural regeneration scheme and includes a new livestock market, business units and 13 open market properties and two self-build houses.
Magna chairman Piers Feilden said the turf cutting ceremony on site last year was about partnership.
"This year, it's got to be about community as embodied by the kids here today," he said.
"The school roll increased this year, which is a fantastic sign of a healthy community."
Head teacher Marcus Capel said: "We have watched the development grow day by day so it is lovely that we are part of it today. We have four children at the school who are living or are about to live in the development."
Chris Winter, from Summerfield Homes, said: "It has been long and protracted at times but we have all stuck with it and delivered something of benefit to the village and the wider community."
The Rural Housing Project (RHP) has been involved in the Cutcombe housing scheme for seven years, initially assessing housing need, then maintaining contact with the community through consultation events and meeting with groups and individuals after work.
Local people have been encouraged and supported in registering for affordable housing, and their compliance with Exmoor National Park local connection criteria assessed. The RHP has encouraged them to apply for the new properties to ensure that homes meant for local people were allocated to local people.
The development is a partnership between Exmoor National Park, Exmoor Farmers Livestock Auctions, West Somerset Council, Somerset County Council, Cutcombe Parish Council, Magna and Summerfield Developments (South West) and the Homes and Communities Agency (HCA).
Magna has put in £467,758 into the affordable housing scheme, which has also been supported by £750,000 investment from the HCA.
HCA area manager Steve Jackson said: "There are few opportunities to provide new affordable housing in the National Park. This is such an important scheme for the area, but its impact goes beyond housing. By unlocking the redevelopment of Cutcombe Market, this project is also sustaining rural jobs connected with the area."
Roger Webber, parish council chairman and chairman of planning at the Exmoor National Park Authority, said every effort would be made to provide further affordable homes on Exmoor in the future. |
