Council house project to begin in Charnwood

A £1.2m project to build the first council houses in part of Leicestershire for almost 20 years is about to begin.

The nine energy efficient homes, for families and the disabled in housing need, will be built in Shepshed, Barrow-Upon-Soar and Thurmaston.

Charnwood Borough Council said it planned to provide 250 affordable properties in the area by 2012.

Officials said they expected the first houses would be available by June 2011.

Environmental impact

The council said the properties, a mix of family houses and bungalows, would be of timber-frame construction, with high levels of insulation in the walls and roof, and energy efficient windows and doors.

Councillor John Bush, Charnwood Borough Council's cabinet member for housing, said: "These new developments, although small, are an important part of the council's plan to provide affordable homes for our residents.

"Not only will they become homes to those most in need, they are also highly energy efficient so will reduce the impact on the environment."

The project was part-funded by £406,000 from the Homes and Communities Agency.