Almost 80 new homes are being developed in St Albans and council chiefs say they will be going towards social housing in the area.

St Albans District Council said it is developing “under-utilised garage sites and vacant land” into 79 homes in the area and people on the housing register will be able to apply for these.

Nine new homes were finished in June, in Alexander Road, London Colney and a garage site in Offas Way, Wheathampstead.

St Albans District Council said it is planning to transform three garage sites in London Colney into 18 homes.

The authority added another three garage sites in Batchwood could provide 25 homes and ground surveys have been carried out by the council.

Planning application are expected to be submitted in July for two former garage sites in Sandridge, creating 23 homes.

Councillor Brian Ellis, housing portfolio holder for St Albans District Council, said: “The council is actively pursuing a strategy to convert under-utilised garage sites into new social housing for rent and to refurbish its sheltered housing schemes.

“The aim is to provide much-needed modern affordable homes for people on the council’s housing register to rent. A number of the projects have or are about to be completed and others are coming on stream.

“This is an exciting initiative that is making a real difference to the provision of good quality social housing in the district.”