Cutcombe children open new affordable homes
Youngsters from Cutcombe were given the task of officially opening a development of new homes they have watched being built on their doorstep.
Pupils from the village's first school planted a tree to mark the unveiling of ten affordable houses in Meadow Close, part of a £1.2 million regeneration scheme that includes a new livestock market, business units, 13 open-market properties and two self-build houses.
The affordable homes are being rented to local people by Magna West Somerset Housing Association and four pupils at the school are already living or about to move in to the development.
The scheme is a partnership between the Exmoor National Park Authority – which relaxed its planning policies to allow the open market homes and secure the viability of the project – West Somerset Council, Cutcombe Parish Council, Magna, Summerfield Developments (South West) and the Homes and Communities Agency.
Magna chairman Piers Feilden told the opening ceremony last Friday that a turf cutting ceremony on the site last year had been all about partnership.
"This year, it's got to be about community as embodied by the kids here today," said Mr Fielden.
"The school roll increased this year, which is a fantastic sign of a healthy community."
Headteacher Marcus Capel said: "We have watched the development grow day by day so it is lovely that we are part of it today."
The Rural Housing Project has been involved in the Cutcombe housing scheme for seven years, initially assessing housing need, then maintaining contact with the community through consultation events and meeting with groups and individuals.
Chris Winter from Summerfield Homes said the development of the scheme had been long and protracted at times.
"But we have stuck with it and delivered something of benefit to the village and the wider community."
Magna has put £467,758 into the affordable element of the scheme, with a £750,000 investment from the HCA.
HCA area manager Steve Jackson said there were few opportunities to provide new affordable housing in the national park.
"This is such an important scheme for the area but its impact goes beyond housing," he said.
"By unlocking the redevelopment of Cutcombe Market, this project is also sustaining rural jobs connected with the area."
And Cutcombe Parish Council chairman Cllr Roger Webber, who is also chairman of the national park's planning committee, pledged that every effort would be made to provide further affordable homes on Exmoor in the future.
Pictured from the left are, at the back, Chris Winter, Roger Webber, Marcus Capel, Magna director Tony Murray and Piers Feilden, with pupils Charlie Roberts, Milly Cook, Willaume Jefferson and Jack Rye.
Photo: Steve Guscott