The search begins for an architects' firm, this week, to bring Norwich one step closer to its first new council homes for more than two decades.

Ten affordable houses are planned for a former council owned garage site in Bowers Avenue, Mile Cross.

The homes – three two-bed, five three-bed and two four-bed – will meet very high eco-standards and be of excellent quality and design.

Councillor Brenda Arthur Executive Member for Housing and Adult Services said: "The demand for affordable housing is growing and so the challenge to meet this is even greater than ever but we are determined to do all we can to get people into the homes they so desperately need and deserve.


"We are immensely proud to be part of an agreement that gives us this opportunity to build our own homes again and that these will be of such a high standard."

The funding for the new affordable homes was allocated under round two of the 2009-10 local authority new build (LANB) programme and is part of the Norwich City Council and Homes and Communities Agency (HCA) strategic partnership, which will see £8 million invested in the city for a range of community facilities as well as new and affordable homes.

(CD/GK)