A LANDLORDS and Housing Fair is being held next month to help raise awareness of funding initiatives available in light of Hinkley C being given the green light.

With a predicated workforce of 5,600 workers on site at peak construction anticipated to be living within a 90 minute travel radius to the site, additional accommodation will be required in Somerset causing extra pressure on the housing market.

West Somerset Council say the construction workforce will prefer accommodation with close proximity to the Hinkley bus routes, the Park and Ride and the main towns and villages.

"There is likely to be high demand in the private rented sector during the construction phase and especially for low cost one bedroom accommodation," a spokesman said.

"The Hinkley Point C accommodation campus at Bridgwater and on site are not due for completion until 2019. Consequently, this will lead to competition for smaller cheaper and family sized homes properties."

EDF has provided funding to the three district councils for a range of housing initiatives to help property and empty home owners, landlords, first time buyers, tenants and people seeking private rented accommodation particularly those on lower incomes to access housing.

To publicise the initiatives and provide more information, West Somerset Council is holding The West Somerset Landlords and Housing Fair on Thursday, March 30 at The Beach Hotel Minehead from 4pm to 8pm. 

The Fair and is open to anyone from West Somerset, Taunton and Sedgemoor who is a landlord, thinking of becoming a landlord, taking in a lodger, an empty home owner, a first time buyer or anyone looking for accommodation. 

Representatives from a range of different organisations will be present to provide free information, advice and support on grants of up to £15,000, and low cost loans available to improve properties and bring empty homes back into use, lodging scheme, management and letting agencies and tenant accreditation scheme.

Informative talks including legal advice, tenancy law, making the most of your empty home and smart meters.