Second home tax used for scheme

Money from council tax from second home owners in Cornwall is helping to create affordable housing in one of the country's most expensive areas.

Twelve detached bungalows are to be built in St Minver, not far from the pricey seaside resort of Rock.

A community land trust has selected buyers according to strict criteria.

North Cornwall District Council is providing a £544,000 loan for the initiative, funded by the second homes council tax.

Remain affordable

Each of the buyers has paid £50,000 for the plot with foundations and a timber frame and will then complete the homes themselves.

The properties, on land at Penmayne Farm, will be freehold but they will have constraints to ensure they remain affordable.

"The scheme is another example of how funding from second homes council tax is essential in enabling the delivery of new affordable homes," said Graham Facks-Martin from North Cornwall District Council.

It is though to be one of the first self-build schemes by a Community Land Trust anywhere in England and a second scheme is planned for Blisland early in 2008.