The organisation is expanding its building programme

Tor Homes is due to build almost 300 new properties over the next two years.

The affordable housing provider is not revealing where the new properties will be built as it said negotiations were still under way for some of the sites.

However, the registered charity has said it is spending �27m to build properties in Exeter, Plymouth, the South Hams, Teignbridge and Torbay.

Recent partnership

They will be a mixture of homes for rent, shared ownership and outright sale.

With the cost of housing in Devon pricing many people out of the market, this will be welcome news for first-time buyers.

Tor Homes said its recent partnership with the William Sutton Group of housing associations had allowed it to expand its building programme.

Tor Homes said: "It is very good news. The partnership with the William Sutton Group meant that we had increased capacity to respond to the very pressing need for more affordable homes in south Devon.

"Rising property prices combined with average low wages in this area means that housing is at the top of the list for all the local authorities in our area."

Ten schemes are already under way in the South Hams. Some are almost finished and residents are soon due to move into new homes at Blackawton, Dean Prior and Modbury.