1.85 million available for local affordable homes

West Somerset Council has made up to £1.85m available in this year’s Corporate Plan to help provide low cost affordable homes for local people to rent and buy.

The Council is currently working on five schemes across the district to fulfil the need for affordable homes, which are:

Clanville Grange in Minehead will provide the council with 11 affordable homes which will be sold to local people on approval of the council’s Discounted Purchase Scheme by the Secretary of State.

Last week, outline planning permission was granted for 20 - 25 homes off Marshfield Road in Alcombe.

The development of homes and small workshops at Simonsbath to rent or buy on a former field study site owned by the council.

An eco-friendly development at Carhampton where the homes will be as near carbon-neutral as possible.

By continuing to support its Housing Association partners’ provision of additional affordable homes to rent and buy.

This support may take the form of direct subsidy, and also the support of bids for government funding through the Housing Corporation. In contrast to the last financial year when there were no supported bids from the Housing Corporation, this year 17 potential bids have been made which could provide over 140 affordable homes throughout the district.

A report will be presented to the council’s Cabinet next Tuesday June 12 to update members on the council’s progress. The register for Clanville Grange has now closed, however, local people wishing to register for future affordable rented housing should contact West Somerset Council on 01643 703704. People wishing to register for future low cost home ownership initiatives can do so via Home2own by phoning 01803 217600 or at the website www.home2own.org.uk.