Council commits to buying extra social housing

Runnymede Borough Council has committed to buying 13 properties at a development site in Egham

More families in a Surrey borough waiting for social housing will have a new home next year, after a council committed to purchasing 13 new properties.

Runnymede Borough Council (RBC) said it would buy 10 one- and two-bedroom apartments and three two-bedroom terraced houses at the Cala Homes' Maple Croft development in Egham, in a "multi-million-pound investment".

The homes are being built, but when finished, will be let at affordable rents to people on the council's housing register, prioritising those with a strong local connection to Runnymede, the authority said.

RBC said that included people who had lived in the borough for the last three years or have a work connection.

It added that they will be owned, managed and maintained directly by RBC, ensuring they remained a "long-term asset" for the community.

Councillor Mike Smith, chair of the housing committee, said: "Securing more affordable homes is one of the most important things we can do for our residents.

"These homes will provide safe and modern places to live, but more than that, they will give people the stability to put down roots, plan for their futures and feel part of their community."