AN OXFORDSHIRE town has formed its own trust to build 'genuinely affordable' houses for local people.

Thame Community Land Trust Limited (CLT) has been registered with the Financial Conduct Authority as a Community Benefit Society.

The new group has said it will create homes for both for sale and rent within and around Thame, with the focus on people with a 'strong local connection' and aims to 'keep families together'.

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A statement from the trust added: "If not a total cure for the affordability problems that affect Thame, the trust expects to make a significant difference."

It said it was in the process of finding sites and an application had also been made to the Community Housing Fund, administered by Government agency Homes England, for a 'substantial grant' towards taking a future site through to planning permission.

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The trust said, while it is independent of Thame Town Council it acknowledged 'the moral and physical support' it has received from the authority. The trust concluded: "There will no doubt be both successes and disappointments along the way but the effort will be undoubtedly worth it. It is a journey that Thame people can take part in."

For more information contact Thame CLT steering group head Bob Austin via bobaustin60@gmail.com.