SHORTLY after being praised by Princess Anne for their outstanding contribution to providing affordable rural housing and their chairman Pam Johns was presented with an award, the Holsworthy Community Property Trust held a meeting at the Skills Centre on Friday, October 29 to publicise their work and to launch their new website.

From now on the trust will be known as 'Homes for Holsworthy' although Heather Stephenson, the project co-ordinator and administrator, stressed that they covered the whole area, not just the town. She said they had changed the name as they felt 'Homes for Holsworthy' tripped more easily off the tongue. They had recently been presented with a Website and Training Award by Paul Delahoy of the Devon Towns Forum.

The meeting was attended by local town and parish councillors and members of the public, as well as by MP Geoffrey Cox (director and trustee). Bob Paterson gave a presentation on what the trust had so far achieved and its plans for the future, then Mr Cox spoke about the government's commitment to promoting community land trusts and how local people would have a say in planning issues through a referendum. He also answered questions about the support they would be giving, and how to ensure, the properties would be for local people.

Homes for Holsworthy is currently building two new affordable two-bedroom homes for local people in Sheepwash, one for shared equity purchase and one for rent, which will be ready before the end of the year. They are also hoping to build two more on the same small mixed development. Soon they hope to start work on four attractive houses at Canal Rise, Bridgerule, which will be for sale to local people who cannot afford open market prices.

Two two-bedroom and two three-bedroom semi-detached homes will be available at varying equity percentages on a very desirable mixed development in the heart of the village. The web address has contact details and an application form for anyone interested in buying or renting at Sheepwash.

At the end of the meeting all the trustees, including John Allen, Ken James and Kate Williamson were available to answer questions.