Funding secured to start building social houses

Plymouth Community Homes said the build in the Millbay area would start in February or March

Funding has been secured to start building new social housing in Plymouth.

Plymouth Community Homes (PCH) said the city council had been given £5m from the government which, combined with £14.2m of loans and subsidies it had raised, would enable the work on the £33.5m scheme in Millbay to begin.

PCH said the first phase would start in February or March in which 80 homes for social rent would be built on land off Bath Street. Planning permission for up to 135 affordable homes has been granted.

Andrew Lawrie, PCH head of development, said finalising the funding had been "a tremendous outcome" as it would enable the group to deliver "a large number of much-needed new homes".

He said the scheme would create "a brand new community" for people on the waiting list for a social home, together with communal gardens, children's play area and business units.

The new homes will be a mix of one and two-bedroom apartments and three-bedroom houses and will be available to households on the Devon Home Choice waiting list, he added.

Completion of the first 80 homes has been estimated to take place by early 2029.

Plymouth City Council said ground investigation works would be taking place on the site before construction works could start and the Martin Street car park would be closed from Friday 31 October.