HALF-finished homes on a Minehead housing estate should be bought by Somerset Council and offered to local people, Cllr Marcus Kravis has suggested.

The Exmoor Gate development at Hopcott, off the A39, was part-built when developer Stratton Land went bust in May this year.

The London-based company called in administrators, meaning completion of the 69-home estate will be significantly delayed or possibly not happen at all.

Somerset Cllr Kravis, who represents the neighbouring Dunster division, called on the authority to purchase the site, finish building the properties, and offer them as council houses to local residents.

Cllr Kravis said: “There is however many houses there half-built.

“Is this an opportunity for us as a council to go in and buy those houses?

“It might be there are all sorts of shenanigans going on about why it has gone bust, who knows, but that is an ideal opportunity.

“I think we have proved as a council that we can be ambitious enough.”

Cllr Kravis made his comments following the council’s decision to spend about £3.4 million over the next 12 months to purchase up to 15 new homes on the open market to be used for temporary accommodation for homeless Somerset families.

Council community director Chris Hall said the authority would usually acquire social housing through a legal agreement with a developer, rather than buying homes on the open market, which would cost more.

Mr Hall said: “A large developer will get planning permission for an estate.

“There will be an affordable housing requirement on the developer.

“They will then build those properties out, they become what is known as ‘section 106’ properties, and are able to be bought by the council or housing associations at a significant discount, nothing like market rate.

“Therefore, if you are buying properties, you would always want to buy those.

“They are brand new with warranties, built to a standard, and all of the infrastructure is taken care of for you.

“We have a planned capital programme which is agreed annually.

“It is not a speculative development programme, it is very considered.”

The authority is already working with Classic Builders to deliver new council homes in Rainbow Way in Minehead, with priority being given to existing local residents or people with a ‘strong connection’ to the area.

Council head of housing Simon Lewis updated councillors on the Rainbow Way scheme: “At our new housing development in Minehead, officers have let a total of 32 homes.

“A further 11 homes within the flat block at Ocean House have been advertised on Homefinder Somerset, and officers are in the process of short-listing applications.

“Shortlisted applicants will then have their application verified prior to being made a formal offer.

“There remain a further 11 homes within Shell House that we continue to await formal handover.”

Rainbow Way, comprising 33 flats, 21 two, three, and four-bedroom houses and one and two-bedroom apartments, are the first new council homes to be built in West Somerset for more than 30 years.