Building work has started on the first new council house in the Stroud District for more than 30 years.

Councillor Mattie Ross, Chair of Stroud District Council's Housing Committee, performed the ground breaking ceremony at Old Common, Minchinhampton, where 35 new houses are being built by Lovell.

The work at Minchinhampton is part of the council's £15m programme to build 150 new homes in the next five years.

"This is a hugely significant moment," said Councillor Ross. "The affordable housing sector has been neglected for years, with the losers being local people who have had to move away or rent in the private sector. I am very proud that we are one of very few councils directly doing our bit to increase the supply of decent affordable homes."

-- Advertisement --

Councillor Ross was helped by Lin Phillips, a former resident of a Woolaway home at Old Common who will be returning to one of the new homes. Joining them was Sandra Mutton, Chair of the Stroud Council Housing Forum, which represents council tenants across the district.

The scheme at Minchinhampton will see new homes being built on the site of structurally defective concrete council homes at The Tynings and Old Common. In a partnership with Lovell, the new homes are being financed by the company, which will build and sell another 31 homes on the same sites.

(CD/JP)