PEOPLE are being helped onto the housing ladder, thanks to the opening of four new shared ownership homes in Glusburn.

Councillor Wendy Hull, chairman of Craven District Council, carried out a ceremonial ribbon cutting of the two bedroom homes, which have been built on the site of former council owned garages, and which have all been sold.

The council worked in partnership with the Government's Homes England which also helped fund the project, and builders Ellison Construction.

“The councillors and officers of Craven District Council are very pleased to be playing a direct part in delivering affordable homes in our local area," said Cllr Hull.

“This site is one of several garage and other locations across the district that will be developed specifically to provide shared ownership housing – meaning that the buyer initially shares the costs of ownership with the council, so making it affordable."

She added: “In this way, the council demonstrates its ongoing commitment to help those, particularly young families, who are struggling to find a property within their price range."

Cllr Hull said she was very pleased and honoured to carry out the ceremony and to mark the completion of the project.

One of the new residents, who wished not to be named, said had already moved in to the new development. She said: “It has made such a difference to the quality of mine and my children’s lives already. Moving back to the area has shown how tied we are to Craven as schools, work and football clubs are there, as well as most of our friends and family."

She added: “The house is so lovely and immediately felt like home. It felt like a new phase when we moved in, one that I could not have achieved if it hadn’t been for the house being affordable.”

Shared ownership is designed for people who cannot afford to buy a house on the open market but still want to get on the property ladder.

An initial share is bought - usually 25 per cent to 75 per cent - and then rent is paid on the remaining part. To qualify for shared ownership, people must be unable to afford a home on the open market and must not earn more than £80,000 per year. Some schemes also require a local connection.

Craven District Council’s first shared ownership scheme opened in Burnroyd Avenue, Cross Hills, in 2017, providing three homes on another former garage site.

Harper Grove, in Sutton in Craven, is another former garage site which will provide three two-bedroom homes, due to be available soon.

The council has also recently acquired three homes at Raines Road, Giggleswick, from local builder Burley Developments, which are being sold on a shared ownership basis through estate agent Carling Jones.