Rishi Sunak has initiated work on an affordable housing scheme in the Yorkshire Dales.
The Richmond MP was asked to perform the ground-breaking ceremony in West Witton, near Leyburn,
The Broadacres housing association development, working in partnership with Hartforth Homes, will see 17 homes being built on a site close to the centre of the village.
All the homes will be allocated to people with a connection to the area, ensuring that rural areas remain sustainable for future generations.
When completed in autumn 2020, six of the two and three-bedroom homes will be allocated via discounted sale, with two being available for affordable rent.
The land being used is a rural housing exception site – a small site used for affordable housing in perpetuity which would not normally be built upon.
This will be Broadacres’ first development in the Yorkshire Dales National Park since 2008, when it completed a scheme in Bainbridge.
The West Witton scheme has been in the pipeline for a number of years and is now happening thanks to support from the Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority, Richmondshire District Council and Homes England.
Mr Sunak said: “This is a great site for new housing for local people. It is an ideal infill development close to the centre of the village which will provide the homes the area needs to meet local demand and help sustain local services.”
Gail Teasdale, Chief Executive of Broadacres, said: “Due to their complexity, rural schemes of this nature are difficult to progress so it’s testament to the fantastic support we receive from our partners which is bringing these developments to fruition.
“Ensuring our rural communities remain sustainable for future generations is an important part of Broadacres’ housing strategy.”
