Houses bought to meet Carmarthenshire's homes need

A council is buying up houses on the open market in a bid to deliver 1,000 affordable homes in the next five years.

Carmarthenshire council has already purchased 20 properties at a cost of £1.7m.

It also claims to be the first council in Wales to build new council housing since the 1980s.

The county was the first Welsh authority to halt tenants' "right to buy" their rented homes.

Council leaders said it is all part of their plans to tackle a housing waiting list of 6,500 people across Carmarthenshire.

"The need is obvious," housing executive board member Linda Evans said.

"We have 9,000 homes in Carmarthenshire at the moment and we have 6,500 people on the housing register waiting for housing and we have to answer those needs."

Over 60 new council homes will be built in the next two years in an £8.5m investment.

Key sites in Llwynhendy, Pembrey, Llandybie and part of the old Pantycelyn Secondary school site in Llandovery have been earmarked for new council properties.

Further sites in Drefach and Ammanford are also planned.

Phase one of the building development plan is set to get underway immediately, if councillors back the proposals.

The details will be discussed next week by the Communities Scrutiny Committee, before being considered by the executive board and full council.