A NEW play area for youngsters in Wedmore is part of an exciting project.
A NEW play area for youngsters in Wedmore is part of an exciting project.
The foundations for affordable housing in the area could be laid as early as May and as part of the scheme a play area will be built for the whole village to use.
The parish council is hoping affordable housing in the village will be given planning permission so the 11 homes can have residents living in them by the end of the year or early 2009.
The final touches are being made to the plans and councillors were hoping to view them last night (Wed), as the Somerset Mercury went to press.
Falcon Rural Housing, the designers behind the project will then provide plans for residents to see and a public consultation is set to be held mid-February.
The parish council is keen to build the homes, which are provided for people in the village who may otherwise struggle to take their first steps on the property ladder. The scheme is aimed at people either currently living in Wedmore or who are somehow connected with the area.
The affordable housing scheme provides homes for people such as first time buyers who may find it difficult to buy on the open market, including young families or people on low incomes.
An application for full planning permission for the two, three and four bedroom houses is expected to be submitted at the beginning of March. If the planning authority, Sedgemoor District Council, grants permission, building work could start in May or June.
Councillors will decide over the next few weeks what sort of equipment will go into the play area.
Last year, Wedmore was described as a 'flagship example' for the affordable housing scheme by the district council.
Affordable housing is a national initiative funded and organised by the Housing Corporation, councils and other bodies.
The expected timetable:
* January- Parish council will view the plans
* Mid-February- A public consultation will be held for residents to see the plans and make comments
* March- A planning application for the scheme will be submitted
* May/June- Building work starts on the houses
* Christmas/New Year- The first residents move in
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