SOUTH Petherwin and St Thomas Parish Councillors visited the new affordable housing development at Tregadillett during a recent evening.

Developer Mike Stevenson had invited both parish councils to visit the site, following a joint parish meeting during the winter where the local affordable development had been discussed. Issues at the meeting included whether this development would be for local people within the area, whether it would it be possible for people to buy as well as rent the properties, how the '106 agreement' would affect them and if this project would meet new green requirements. Mike Stevenson and Graham Facts Martin (NCDC councillor) gave comment to the issues raised. The '106 agreement' bound the future landlords of the 'buy to let' houses (eight houses in the development) and the 'buy to own' houses (six houses in the development) to a number of strict rules.

Meeting at 7 pm Mike Stevenson and Mike Crockford, project builder, took eight councillors and two clerks on a tour of the site which has yet to be fully completed. Coun­cillors were able to view one of the eight, two bedroom and one of the six, four bedroom houses. Five of the two bedroom and five of the three bedroom houses have been sold, leaving one three bedroom to buy and own, and three, two bedroom houses to buy to rent.

All the councillors were impressed with the interior rooms space, fittings and general craftsmanship. Included in the room fittings are fitted kitchens and bathrooms. Green technology, in the form of solar panels, are fitted on the roofs of each house. This helps to heat the hot water system and reduce overall running cost on highly insulated houses. The use of natural grey slate gives the traditional Cornish look to the development. A final touch was the fitting of an exterior tap. Ample space is provided for gardens and off road parking.

Mike Crockford who has recently purchased one of the three bedroom 'buy to own' houses, was pleased to be back in South Petherwin Parish after eleven years. 'I'm over the moon to be able to move back to live in a rural community. These are good value for money houses and as I helped to build them I feel very much part of the whole project. It's brought me back to a community I lived in for many years".

Mike Stevenson commented that he tried to build low cost housing to a standard he would be proud to put his name to. He was happy to say that to date he had good feed back from all the purchasers. He thanked the two parish councils for taking an interest in the project and the support they had given.

John Langdon, Chairman St Thomas PC, said that this development looks, " rural and the houses haven't been crammed in too tightly together. The development looks very good and is completed to a high standard " He thanked Mike Stevenson for time and effort in making this meeting possible.

Finally, Phil Parsons, Chairman South Petherwin PC, also expressed his thanks to Mike Stevenson and Mike Crockford and said that this was a three-fold success, " local developer, using local builders, providing housing for local people."