A PLAQUE has been unveiled in a South Somerset village to honour a local man who sold his land so a special affordable home scheme could be added to his village.

Acorn Homes, a South West-based property developer, unveiled the plaque at a new street in Seavington St Michael to mark the completion of the new Falcon Close.

The plaque pays tribute to local man Andrew Whitehouse, who sold his plot of land to the developer to create 13 high quality new homes.

Three of these new houses were given to the Community Land Trust to rent as affordable housing to benefit those that qualify for the scheme within the Seavington St. Michael community.

Mark Thomas, founder and director of Acorn Homes, said: “The unveiling of this plaque has been a great way to celebrate with Andrew and the local community on all that has been achieved at this special site.

“We always aim to work closely with local communities and being able to secure this piece of land with the added benefit of producing affordable housing has been a brilliant opportunity for us to construct something that will truly add value to the local area for some time to come.

“Thank you to everyone involved in bringing these plans to fruition.”

The Community Land Trust was launched by the neighbouring villages of Seavington St Mary and Seavington St Michael, near Ilminster, in February 2016.

The trust is run by villagers, who pay a one off fee of £1 to join. They each then get a vote and influence the rent on the three affordable homes, who lives in them, and what the income is spent on.

Acorn Homes other developments include Yeabridge in South Petherton and Lower Broad Park in Ilfracombe.