CHERITON Bishop Community Land Trust and its partners met at Woodleigh Coach House in Cheriton Bishop recently, to celebrate the granting of the planning permission and to toast their success after years of hard work.

Cheriton Bishop CLT was formed in 2011 to provide affordable housing for local people in the village. The parish council had been looking into the provision of affordable housing for some time and the decision was taken to form a CLT as this was thought to be the best way forward.

Devon Communities Together (DCT) carried out a housing needs survey in 2012 which identified a need for eight affordable homes.

The Rural Housing Team also assisted with the site search by carrying out a site appraisal in January 2013.

This appraisal identified several possible sites within the village, including the site finally chosen for the development.

There was some local opposition to the scheme from residents who lived adjacent to the site, but the planning application finally went to committee on June 3 and planning permission was granted, subject to the S106 agreement on allocations.

Construction is due to start in the autumn on the new homes, which will consist of four one bedroom homes, three two bedroom homes and one three bedroom home.