Hundreds of affordable homes are to be delivered across the South West as part of a four-year agreement between the Homes and Communities Agency (HCA) and Raglan Housing Association.

The HCA has agreed a contract with Raglan, which will see it deliver around 550 new homes new affordable homes, which will include 250 in Somerset and 100 in Dorset. This will be supported by investment of around £7.4 million from the HCA.

The agreement, which covers the South of England and the Midlands, is part of the HCA’s Affordable Homes Programme, which is set to deliver 80,000 new affordable homes across England by 2015. It will make a major impact on affordable housing provision in the communities where average house prices have been recorded as being more than nine times the average local salary in some areas.

While some of the investment will support new homes on identified sites, around 160 homes will be provided on locations which are to be agreed as part of the four-year programme.

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The areas where new homes will be delivered include:

• Weston-super-Mare– 51 homes
• Highbridge - 44 homes
• Yeovil – 40 homes
• More than 30 new homes on two sites in Glastonbury
• 27 supported housing units for older people in Bournemouth
• Christchurch - 23 homes

HCA executive director for the South and South West Colin Molton said: "This agreement will see much needed new homes delivered across the areas in which we work and builds on our work with Raglan to create high quality affordable housing in recent years.

"I am sure this investment will make a significant difference to the local communities in which we work. We have worked closely with Raglan over recent months to ensure that its programme brings the maximum benefit for local people. But in many ways, the hard work starts now - and we will be focused on ensuring that local people in the South West see the benefits of our investment over the next four years."

Richard Stevenson, director of development for Raglan Housing Association said: 'Raglan is delighted to have completed this agreement with the HCA. We pride ourselves on providing quality, well-designed, affordable housing and this investment will enable us to do just that. With immediate effect we have completed the acquisition of a site at Great Western, Chard for 46 new homes. Other site acquisitions and commencement of works will follow in the near future."

(CD/BMcC)