BUILDING work on an affordable housing development in Dulverton is underway and on course for completion in October.

Barnes Close Mead is a new scheme which will provide 18 affordable homes – six for shared ownership, six for social rent and six for affordable rent. There will be one, two and three-bedroom homes.

Exmoor National Park Authority’s principal planning officer Joe White said: “We know local people can struggle to get a foot on the housing ladder on Exmoor due to the generally higher cost of real estate in national parks.

“Barnes Close Mead is a prime example of how we’re working to address that need through local planning policies that include a portion of affordable housing ring-fenced for local people, alongside the added flexibility to either rent or buy under shared ownership schemes.”

The park authority worked on the project with housing association LiveWest and Woofenden Construction.

Sally Bryant, senior development manager for LiveWest, said: “We are extremely pleased to be offering these beautifully presented homes to local people.

“We are very much looking forward to seeing the scheme come together and we hope the residents moving into these properties will be extremely happy here.”

She said that features of the development include Air Source heat pumps, which are designed to draw air from outside and convert it into heat which transfers to radiators inside the property.

They are generally cheaper to run, better for the environment and do not need any fuel storage.

The development is benefitting from grant-funding from government housing agency Homes England and LiveWest worked closely alongside Somerset West and Taunton Council (SWAT) to develop the site.

Cllr Fran Smith, executive member for housing, said: “Affordable housing is vital for the survival of our rural communities and forms a key part of our corporate strategy to increase the number of affordable and social homes in our urban towns, rural and coastal communities.

“This superb development will enable local people from Dulverton and surrounding villages to stay in the area in well-built and economical properties that will remain affordable for local people into the future. “

David Coombes, Woofenden Construction operations manager, said: “As a family-run business based in a small rural village, we understand the importance of providing both affordable and quality accommodation for families.

“The idea of providing quality, sustainable and affordable housing in areas such as Dulverton is an excellent example of what can be achieved. 

 “Working on the edge of the Exmoor National Park has been a tremendous pleasure and I hope the new residents appreciate the beautiful surrounds as much as we did.”

People wishing to bid for one of the new homes should register online at www.homefindersomerset.co.uk/.