A NEW social housing project has been completed offering 12 new flats and three houses.

The 15 affordable rented homes in Rochford Road, Southend were built on the site of former garages which had fallen into disrepair and was subject to ongoing anti-social behaviour.

The 12 two-bedroom flats are split into two blocks, plus three houses, all built in excess of the national technical space standards.

The four ground floor flats have been built to be classed as a property for a tenant with a wheelchair.

Glyn Halksworth, interim director of housing at Southend Council, said: “Building work started in June 2018 and we are pleased to be able to deliver these homes on time and within budget.

“Our adaptations team worked closely with building contractors Marfleet and Blyth to make sure the four ground floor flats were tailored to the needs of prospective tenants.

“We’re very pleased to be able to offer these additional social housing homes, which will be let at an affordable rent, which means tenants will pay 80 per cent of market value rent or Local Housing Allowance rates, whichever is the lowest.

“The council will continue to identify opportunities to develop affordable housing within the borough, and preliminary feasibility works indicate a possible 55 new homes could be delivered across two phases, over the next couple of years.”

The development is the latest phase of a building programme following 18 affordable homes built in Shoebury and a wheelchair accessible two-bedroom bungalow built in Audley’s Close.

The development has a solar photo voltaic (PV) system to help reduce electricity bills, power communal areas and a solar inverter to utilise unused energy to heat hot water.

There is cycle storage and additional visitor parking, as well as four allocated disabled spaces for the four ground floor flats.

The properties will be allocated via the council’s choice based lettings system.

The four wheelchair-accessible properties have been allocated by the aids and adaptations nominations panel.

More social housing has been identified as a priority.