Proposals have been approved for a redevelopment of the Essendon Hill bungalow site, Essendon, with the delivery of six new affordable homes.

The Homes and Communities Agency will be working with the borough council and the Guinness Trust, who won the contract to deliver and manage the new homes, to provide affordable housing for local people. The project will also produce homes that are green and fuel efficient.

Essendon Hill is a council owned site in a green belt area that will be the first in the borough to benefit from the rural exception scheme. The scheme is designed to address local needs and allows development of affordable housing on a rural site. This type of scheme can only be agreed where a local housing need has been identified. The use of locally sourced resources and labour will also ensure that local consideration on the construction of all six homes is preserved in relation to Essendon village.

Councillor Roger Trigg, Executive Member for Housing and Community, said: “The development of Essendon Hill has been a long standing priority for the council. With the rural exception scheme in place, construction of new homes will only benefit the local area and will provide local people with new, affordable and environmentally friendly homes.”

With consultation already underway with the local parish council, work on the site is due to commence next year.

Only one property is currently occupied, the resident of which will be temporarily relocated and offered a property on the new development when completed.