A HANDFUL of shared ownership properties are being offered for sale on Chipping Sodbury’s new housing development.

The five houses and flats at Barnhill Gate are being put on the market by Merlin Housing Society and are available for people who could not otherwise afford to buy their own property.

The housing association is selling two three-bedroom homes, one two-bedroom home and two one-bedroom flats each available at a 40 per cent share.

Merlin’s development manager Peter Crouch said: “We’re delighted to be in a position to offer these homes for shared ownership.

“Chipping Sodbury is a very desirable area and we know shared ownership opportunities are rare. We don’t expect them to hang around for long.

“We’re asking anyone who is interested in finding out more about these homes to contact us to register their interest. There will be some qualifying criteria to make sure that the homes go to those in most need of an affordable property."

To be eligible potential buyers must not have a household income of more than £60,000 a year, must not currently own a home, be aged 18 years or older and unable to afford to buy a suitable property on the open market. A good credit history is also needed and savings of between £3,000 and £10,000 to cover a deposit and legal fees.

The Bloor Homes properties have been built as part of a wider development on Chipping Sodbury’s former quarry next to the existing Waitrose store and a new retirement complex. As well as the shared ownership properties, 109 new homes and 22 affordable homes are being constructed.

Potential buyers of the five shared ownership properties have until Friday, August 21 to apply. Anyone interested in applying should email sales@merlinhs.co.uk, call 01454 821666, or visit www.merlinhs.co.uk