A HOUSING association has announced plans to start work on two rural affordable housing schemes in North Yorkshire.

Broadacres has revealed that work will shortly get underway on the two schemes – in West Witton, near Leyburn, and Carlton Miniott, near Thirsk.

All the homes will be allocated to people with a connection to the area, ensuring that rural areas remain sustainable for future generations.

At West Witton, working in partnership with Hartforth Homes, Broadacres is being allocated eight of the 17 homes being built on a field at Harenda Field, in the centre of the village.

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.

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.

In Carlton Miniott, working with its developing partner Moody Construction, Broadacres is building seven homes on Carlton Road.

The site is currently used for farming, but Broadacres has been granted a rural exception to enable it to provide affordable homes for local people.

When completed in July 2020, it will offer two and three-bedroom homes for shared ownership and two-bedroom homes for affordable rent. There will also be a one and two-bedroom apartment for affordable rent.

This will be Broadacres’ first rural exception site since 2015 when it completed a scheme at Hutton Rudby, which was opened by Princess Anne.

Gail Teasdale, Chief Executive of Broadacres, said: “We are delighted to be able to shortly start work on two strategic rural housing developments, which will provide high quality homes for local people."