THERE were celebrations in Alcombe last week when Magna West Somerset officially opened its latest housing scheme. Brackensfield comprises 33 homes for rent, with a mix of two, three and four-bedroom houses as well as two-bedroom bungalows. Its completion was marked with a community barbecue for residents and other guests, including West Somerset Council leader Cllr Tim Taylor who cut the ribbon to mark the opening. Cllr Taylor said: "West Somerset Council has a long-standing and close relationship with Magna and I am very pleased to see families living happily in these homes. "It's been fantastic seeing what a great sense of community the residents have here and I think this is partly down to the clever design of the site." Magna housing group chairman, Adam Peat, paid tribute to all those involved in the scheme. He said: "We are very proud of the standard of housing achieved and hope everyone will be very happy for many years to come." Most of the children living in the scheme attended the opening and were treated to a Punch and Judy show. Around 770 people 'bid' for the rented properties and Magna said all had been allocated to local residents in housing need through the Homefinder Somerset choice based lettings system. The name Brackensfield was suggested by a local resident and approved by West Somerset Council. The national Homes and Communities Agency invested £749,000 in the scheme, with the rest of the money coming from Magna.