MORE than 700 homes have been built in an area in the past year.

Arun District Council’s total of 723 new properties between 1 April 2011 and 31 March 2012 is a big increase on 519 in the previous year.

Bosses said two out of every five new homes built were affordable and made available for rent or purchase under shared ownership schemes to households who cannot afford to rent or buy in the open market without some financial assistance.

The council has also reported an increase in the amount of land made available for businesses across the district – 3,217 sq m in 2011/12 compared with 3,123 in 2010/11.

Councillor Ricky Bower, the council’s member for planning, said: “I am pleased that we are able to report not only a record number of new homes, but a good number of affordable homes to help families who are struggling in difficult financial times.”