A HOUSING scheme is giving local people the chance to buy a home at a knock-down price.

Ten homes in Colburn are being sold for between £72,000 and £95,000 - more than £100,000 below the average house price in Richmondshire.

The homes have been built by Barratt Homes on the Gilesgate development.

Richmondshire District Council gave permission for the development on the basis that affordable housing was included in the scheme.

Broadacres Housing Association will oversee the sale of the homes.

Brian Hodges, the district council's principal development control officer said the aim was to help local people get a foot on the home-ownership ladder. He said: "This is the first scheme in Richmondshire where, as a condition of the planning permission, we have required the developer to work with a housing association to provide homes for low-cost local ownership, rather than rent.

"A housing-needs survey had been conducted and it has shown there is a need for affordable housing to buy in this area. I would expect there to be quite an interest in the homes - they are an attractive proposition."

Gill Haigh, director of housing services at Broadacres, said: "We are delighted to be working with the council and Barratt Homes on this scheme. The homes will be available to people living or working in Richmondshire who would normally struggle to be able to afford to buy a house because their total income is less than £40,000."

Initial priority will be given to prospective purchasers living in the three local parishes of Colburn, Scotton and Brough with St Giles.

The buyer will be able to keep any profit made when they sell the property, but the resale would be overseen by Broadacres to ensure the home goes to a local person.

An information pack can be obtained from the Barratt sales centre at Gilesgate, which is open seven days a week, from 11am to 6pm.

Details can also be obtained from Broadacres Housing Association on 0800 587 5291.