Affordable homes at Wheddon Cross in 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.

Pupils from Cutcombe First School planted a tree to mark the completion of the £1.2m 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.

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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 £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."

(CD)