Delighted residents are settling into their homes at a new development, providing much-needed, affordable housing in West Harptree.

Rural, social housing is in high demand as it allows local families to stay in the area, when they might otherwise be forced to move elsewhere. Six of the families moving in are from West Harptree itself and the other two are from nearby villages.

Joint funding for the development came from Bath & North East Somerset Council, the Housing Corporation and Somer Community Housing Trust, which owns the properties. The homes are being let at affordable rents to people with a local connection to West Harptree who must be registered with Homesearch and have been identified as being in housing need. Homesearch administers the Bath & North East Somerset Council's Waiting list for affordable housing.

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Stephen Kennedy grew up in West Harptree and has lived there all his life. He will be moving in to his new home with his partner Gizelle Lett and their son. He said: "It would have been strange moving to somewhere completely different, so when we heard about this development, we decided to try and get one of the properties. We've had to wait two years, but it was worth it and we're very glad that we did get in. The house looks great from the outside and is deceptively large inside. We’re really happy with it and can’t wait to move in."

The development was made possible after Bath & North East Somerset Council's Development Control Committee granted permission to build on an area of former grassland. Such exemptions from normal planning rules are very rare, but this was made a 'rural exception site' because of the high demand in the area for affordable rented homes. The plans received approval after a long process to find a suitable site within West Harptree, which is located within an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

The six two-bedroom and two three-bedroom homes were built by contractors Halsall Construction, who received a high mark from the Considerate Constructors Scheme for the way they conducted the build. The properties have been finished to a very high standard, and are partially clad with local stone. The homes also meet the Building Research Establishment's "Very Good" Eco Homes standard, which rates the sustainability of a development, including its energy efficiency, recycling possibilities and how close it is to local amenities and public transport.

(CD/JM)