An ageing sheltered housing block has been transformed into new social housing for people aged over 55.

St Albans District Council has completed its £4.8 million project at Wavell House in Cell Barnes Lane.

Wavell House was knocked down and has been replaced with 24 homes including 12 two-bed properties, and 12 one-bed homes - all for social rent.

The new building, constructed by Harpenden-based Jarvis and supported by a grant of £720,000 from Homes England, has been called Warner House.

Some of the new tenants will be existing council tenants who have decided to downsize, freeing up their homes for larger households who may currently be in overcrowded accommodation.

Any remaining flats will go to people on the council’s housing register who have been waiting for a new home.

Councillor Jacqui Taylor, portfolio holder for housing, inclusion and protection, said: "It is fantastic news that, despite the impact of Covid-19, we are completing developments to provide the new social rent homes that people need.

"We are hoping that most of the new tenants will be able to move in by Christmas, giving them a festive season to remember.

"The delivery of more social housing is one of the Council’s major priorities and this is yet another example of our determination to fulfil that objective.

"We are committed to providing more high-quality homes for people in housing need and have more in the pipeline in Batchwood, Harpenden and Sopwell. We also continue to look for more sites where we can build homes."

Other blocks which have been converted into social homes in the district include Linley Court in Valley Road and Betty Entwistle House in Holyrood Crescent. Both have since been renamed.

Mereden Court in Tavistock Avenue, Sopwell, will be turned into 18 homes for social rent and renamed Hawksley Court.