Ashford council's efforts to work in partnership with others to provide affordable homes has been praised by chief executive of English Rural Housing Association, Adrian Maunders.

Speaking at the handover of 11 homes in Smeeth he said he regularly quotes the achievements of this partnership in Ashford as a demonstration of what can be done when borough and parish councils provide effective leadership.

He was at Fortescue Place at Calland in Smeeth when Mrs May Fortescue opened the new development.

Former Ashford Mayor and Smeeth parish council chairman, her late husband Gordon, was a key driving force behind the scheme.

Funded by the Homes and Communities Agency investment programme they are owned and managed by English Rural and will ensure that those unable to afford market prices can still live in the village.

Three of the homes have already been sold on a shared ownership basis and the other eight made available at low rent.

The site was previously overgrown scrubland and a legal agreement with Ashford council has been made that the homes are only available to people that have a connection to the village.

Cllr Peter Wood, Ashford council cabinet member for housing, said: “Our partnership with English Rural Housing Association has already provided developments to help people in eight parishes, with more planned in the future."

Brabourne parish council chairman, Peter Clayton said the ceremony marked the culmination of a 15 plus year struggle to find land and develop the project.

Welcoming the opening he said: “This is important to us as a community as open market house prices in our villages are out of reach of all but the most fortunate young first-time buyers."

Stuart Austen, chairman of Smeeth parish council, added: “Smeeth parish council welcomes the affordable housing as part of its commitment to maintain the community by providing for people who have grown up in the area and who otherwise have to look to moving away from families and work.”