NEWLY built bungalows in Sutton-in-Craven are being offered to first time buyers through a new scheme by Craven District Council.

The two, two bedroom, semi-detached homes in Lumb Croft, off West Lane, are the first to be offered by the council in its shared ownership scheme.

The council has bought the properties, which are part of a new development of ten homes in the village, as part of planning agreements on development sites.

Paul Ellis, the council's director of services, said: “By purchasing these properties Craven District Council is directly assisting in providing much-needed affordable housing to meet the needs of first time buyers living and working in Craven.

“The initiative is also an example of the council finding innovative ways of developing additional income streams. This will help offset the reduction of central government grants, enabling us to continue to fund key front line services to residents.”

The properties are both good-sized semi-detached two-bedroom homes, built to a high specification on a small development of ten dwellings in the village.

They both include private parking and have easy to manage garden areas, with double patio doors from the lounge which lead to a small wooden decked area with steps leading down to a garden.

The aim of shared ownership housing is to allow those on low to middle incomes to get onto the housing ladder sooner than they may otherwise be able to do so by requiring a much smaller deposit and mortgage.

Occupiers buy a share of the property - such as 50 per cent - and then pay a rent on the remainder.

Therefore, a property with a market value of £175,000, would mean occupants would need a mortgage and deposit based on a payment of £87,500. The owners then have the option of acquiring additional shares with a consequent reduction in the rental payment.

The Lumb Croft properties are being sold by estate agents, Harrison Boothman. People will need to have an 'eligibility check' after showing an interest, to make sure they fulfil the purchase requirements.

For more details, go to the website harrison-boothman.co.uk