A YOUNG couple have moved into their dream home in the Yorkshire Dales with the good wishes of their MP.
Hannah Connolly and Toby Richardson picked up the keys to their home in Bainbridge which is one of eight local occupancy houses. Under national park planning rules the new homes have to be occupied by people who live or work in the park or who have a family connection with the area.
The couple were welcomed to their two-bedroomed, stone-built terraced home by Rishi Sunak, MP for Richmond.
The homes, a mix of two- and three-bedroomed properties built behind the village’s Rose and Crown pub, were constructed by Hornblower Developments – a joint operation formed by David Collinson, landlord of the pub and Randall Orchard Construction, Richmond.
Rishi Sunak, who handed a bouquet to Hannah, said: “This is a superb development, built in the right style for the Yorkshire Dales and finished to a high standard. It’s great to be able to see young people like Hannah and Toby get their foot on the housing ladder in their home area.
Toby, 24, works on a nearby farm and Hannah, 21, is the housekeeping manager at the Yorebridge House Hotel in the village.
The couple took advantage of the Government’s Help to Buy scheme to secure their new home.
Hannah said: “We are thrilled to have our own place in our home dale. We are relly looking forward to settling down and creating our first proper home together.”
Graeme Newton, managing director of Randall Orchard Construction, said the houses had been sold at a discount worth up to 25 per cent because of the local occupancy condition. “All eight homes have been sold to local people and we are delighted with how the scheme has worked out.”
Bainbridge resident and business owner Cllr Yvonne Peacock, who is also leader of Richmondshire District Council, said there had been universal support in the village for the development.
She said: “This shows what can be done in the National Park to secure homes for local people. It is a beautiful development which fits in with its surroundings perfectly.”