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The proposed 30 home development will be as carbon-neutral as possible to limit its damage on the environment. It is proposed that 20 of the homes will be affordable homes to rent or buy while ten will be sold on the open market.

Portfolio Holder for Housing Health and Welfare, Cllr Peter Humber, said:
"This is a truly exciting day for residents in the ward of Carhampton and Withycombe because these will be local homes for local people.

"The fact that it will also be an exemplar for eco-friendly design and sustainable development also means it's a positive step forward for environmentally sound developments which, it is hoped, lead the way for other such projects in West Somerset."

The council will be looking at transferring the site to the Carhampton & Withycombe Community Land Trust (CWCLT), and then working with them and the visionary developers, Ecos Trust, to deliver the new homes. The Carhampton & Withycombe Community Land Trust is one of seven pilot Community Land Trusts, established by the Government through the Rural Housing Advisory Group, that are being supported in rural areas. The others are: Holsworthy in Devon; St Miniver in Cornwall; Buckland Newton in Dorset; Worth Matravers in Dorset; Bishops Castle in Shropshire and Chipping in Lancashire.

The site was formerly devoted to agricultural use and, as such, is mainly a brownfield site, will comprise the conversion of existing barns with sustainable new build homes.

Cllr Keith Ross, Leader of West Somerset Council, said:
"One of our major corporate objectives is to deliver affordable housing to local people. It is a remarkable achievement that, due to the ongoing hard work of the project team, we have been able to put in place firm foundations for homes that will be affordable and cost-effective to run.

"The council has a responsibility to help reduce carbon emissions and alleviate climate change. We are meeting these challenges by facilitating housing which incorporates low or zero carbon energy sources, and seeks to maximise energy efficiency, conservation and passive solar gains where possible.

"The development will also aim to maximise water efficiency and conservation, minimise construction and household waste, use sustainable construction materials and techniques, and acknowledge the need to build sustainable communities by using local trades people and professionals."

West Somerset County Council are confident that though the constraints, placed by the aim of affordability and low carbon dwellings in this development proposal are challenging, they are nonetheless achievable, "since the Carhampton project team has explored current examples of best practice being carried out already."

The CWCLT will work with the council's local Housing Enablers to select the occupants of the new affordable dwellings. Those interested in owning one of the new houses can register their interest at the Home2Own website.