WORK has begun on a new development that will bring much-needed homes to a north Wiltshire village.

Somerbrook, a development of 38 houses on a four-acre site at Brook Farm on the edge of Great Somerford, will include ten affordable homes.

The development borders the farm first established in the 1500s and comprises a mixture of two, three, four and five-bedroomed homes that are terraced, link detached or detached.

Developer Stonewood Partnerships, based at Tormarton, said the new homes have been designed to mirror those in the nearby village by reflecting the same exterior finishes – stone, red brick and premium quality roughcast render.

Each home will have designated parking to ensure there will be no overspill into the village.

Stonewood is in talks with a housing association to oversee the allocation of the affordable homes.

The start of construction marks the end of a long planning process that began when Wiltshire Councillor Toby Sturgis, who owns Brook Farm, sold the land in 2006 to another developer.

The site once home to a large dairy herd, originally had outline permission for 30 homes with a further eight being allocated through the Great Somerford Neighbourhood Plan in 2017. The site was bought by Stonewood from the original developer earlier this year.

Cllr Sturgis said: “This is good news for Great Somerford.

"The proposed mix of housing will provide opportunities for young families who struggle to afford to buy at present and will help maintain the viability of the pub, shop, post office, church and primary school in this popular village.

"I am sure all newcomers will be most welcome in the village.”

Great Somerford Parish Council chairman, Stephen Mansfield, echoed his sentiments. “We are really pleased this development is going ahead,” he said.

A recent information meeting in the village, at which the developer presented designs and answered questions, brought some positive feedback.

Stonewood director of land and planning Gavin Calthrop, who organised the meeting, said: “Generally people were very positive and encouraging.

"Understandably there were some concerns about disruption while we are developing the scheme, but we were able to reassure people about how we will minimise this and create a wonderful new addition to the village.”

Site manager Matthew Crook said work has begun clearing the site and refurbishing farm buildings that border an access road from Park Lane on to the development.

Construction on the show home will start in the New Year and sales of the first new homes are set to begin next August, with the site due to be completed the following summer.

He said great emphasis is being placed on ensuring the affordable homes match the rest of the development.

“The affordable homes will blend in with the rest of the development and they will have just the same high quality of design and finish,” he said.