Queues for first council housing in 30 years

Minehead locals have been invited to apply for new social housing

Scores of people turned up to view the first new council-managed social housing in west Somerset for 30 years.

More than 50 units will be available by the end of summer at 80% of the market rate, with properties ranging from one-bedroom flats through to four-bedroom houses.

The net zero homes have been built in Minehead, and attracted those struggling to find housing from a variety of backgrounds and circumstances.

However, Somerset Council said demand for the new homes is "high", admitting county-wide there are nearly 10,000 people needing homes.

The homes are designed to be net zero - offering minimal running costs

In the queue speaking to BBC Radio Somerset was care worker Bradley Middleditch and his partner, who said three-quarters of their wages are currently spent on rent - leaving them with very little cash.

"We just want somewhere to live that's more affordable," he explained, adding they have been searching for a home for eight years.

"There's just nothing coming up... honestly it's been very depressing - it takes a toll.

"We want something we can call home."

Butlins staff member John Burgess, his partner and two children were also in the queue, saying they have been on the council list for several months.

"We need to be somewhere bigger for what we have - where we live now is a bit too expensive for what our budget is but we were pushed into it."

Bradley said he spends three-quarters of his wage on rent

John and his family are looking for cheaper accommodation

Elsewhere in the queue were people who had spent the last 18 months living in hotels and holiday lets, couples with children unable to live together, and others who had been seperated from relatives after having babies.

Chris Brown, who is in charge of social housing at Somerset Council said demand for the homes is "very high".

He told BBC Radio Somerset the council had been working on this project for several years.

"We have, regularly, nearly 10,000 customers who need social housing or affordable housing in Somerset... therefore when properties do come up, demand is very high".

The homes themselves will be available through the Home Finder service, and have energy saving features such as solar panels, triple glazing and heat pumps, meaning utility bills should be lower than usual.

The first homes go live in a few weeks, with those who are eligible for the Home Finder service invited to bid on them.