A HOUSING association in South Somerset is celebrating after completing its first scheme developed in partnership with a Community Land Trust.

Yarlington Housing Group was the first housing association in the district to secure planning permission for a Community Land Trust Scheme.

Now 10 homes have been built in Michingtons Close in Norton-sub-Hamdon, consisting of eight homes for affordable rent and two for shared ownership.

The homes have been allocated to people with a local connection to the village or surrounding parishes.

CLT secretary, Liz Maunder said: “For all the Directors of the CLT, this has been an exciting and fulfilling culmination of a long project to meet the needs of local families.

Yarlington Development officer, Louise Lote added: “The CLT Board have showed a great level of passion and commitment to drive this project forward and it has been a real pleasure working with them to secure 10 new high quality affordable homes for local people.”

Ric Pallistar, leader of South Somerset District Council said the scheme was exemplar and praised the work of The CLT and Yarlington.

The official opening was marked with a planting of an apple tree of the Yarlington variety.