MORE than 50 new affordable homes are set to become available at a site in Coleford in the new year.

Construction works at a council-backed development in Tufthorn Avenue are nearing completion, with a total of 64 new homes being offered for affordable rent or shared ownership.

Works at the new development, which began in July 2020, are set to be completed by March 2022.

The site has been developed by Stonewater Housing Association with the support of Forest of Dean District Council, who have designated 45 of the new homes for affordable rent and 19 for shared ownership.

Cabinet Member for Housing, Cllr Claire Vaughan, says the development, which has been built on a brownfield site, is another good example of the "regeneration" of disused or derelict sites locally.

Cllr Vaughan said: "One of our key priorities as a District Council is to provide affordable housing to meet the needs of our residents and it has been encouraging to see the promising developments that have taken shape this year.

"Tufthorn Avenue is a great addition, at less than a mile south of Coleford town centre it has good transport links and is located on a brownfield site, proving to be another example of regeneration in the Forest of Dean."

The 45 rental properties will comprise a mix of two, three or four bed homes, and an additional eight one-bed flats.

The shared ownership units will be made up of 19 two, three and four-bed houses.