THE FIRST community-led housing scheme in North Yorkshire is to be built in Hudswell, near Richmond.

The village, famous for its community pub, also has a local charity that provides housing to local residents in housing need.

Hudswell Community Charity already owns and manages three properties, and has been working for three years on proposals to construct three more homes to be rented to local people from Hudswell or neighbouring Downholme.

Charity chairman Don Farrar said: “We know that many people who have strong local connections cannot afford to buy a home in Hudswell, so we are helping to meet the need for affordable rented housing, which allows people in this position to stay, or move back to the village.”

There will be a two-bedroom bungalow and two, three-bedroom semi-detached homes.

Richmondshire District Council leader, Cllr Yvonne Peacock, said “The council was delighted to be able to support the project in Hudswell as the first of its kind in North Yorkshire and we hope they inspire other community groups."