PUPILS helped celebrate the completion of a new affordable housing scheme at a village near York.

York Housing Association marked the end of construction work on a development at Sheriff Hutton, which includes 12 properties.

The commemorative event was attended by social housing champion Lord Richard Best as well as youngsters from Sheriff Hutton Primary School.

Julia Histon, managing director of York Housing Association, said: “There is a real shortage of affordable housing in villages around the country, which means that young people can’t find homes in the places they grew up – and particularly around York where property prices are so high, this can often mean moving significant distances away from their support networks."

The new development includes six rental properties and six homes available for purchase on a shared ownership scheme for people with connections to the village.

Jessica Bingley, who is one of the first tenants in the rented properties, said: “I’ve been living with my grandparents and two children in the village for a while, sharing one bedroom with the children whilst my grandad was sleeping on the sofa in the lounge.

"Both my children are settled at the village primary school, and I work nearby, relying on family to help with childcare, so leaving the village was not really an option.

"I’m over the moon that I’ve now got my own two bedroom place, at a rent I can afford – it really has changed our lives.”

The developers have been working in partnership with Ryedale District Council and Cllr Luke Ives, chair of the council’s policy and resources committee, said: “Ryedale District Council welcomes the opening of the new affordable homes for rent and shared ownership in Sheriff Hutton which resulted from successful working between several partners.

"The new homes will enable local people to live and work in the village and help support community and village life in the parish.

"It is also pleasing to see the local primary school being actively involved with the development and the school children will remember the burying of the time capsule on the site for a very long time to come.”