Work has been completed on eight new council homes as part of North West Leicestershire District Council's latest housing project in Greenhill.

And the council says it providing much needed affordable housing for Coalville people.

Applicants from the waiting list, which includes more than 1,000 households, can now move into the new homes situated on the site at the former Cocked Hat pub, including seven two and three-bedroom houses and a one-bedroom bungalow.

Despite a small suspension on building works due to a shortage of materials following coronavirus, Robert Woodhead Limited, the council's appointed contractors, has been able to maintain social distancing measures to see the project through to completion this week.

The site forms part of the district council's new-build housing programme which aims to provide approximately 30 affordable new homes per year to rent in addition to over 4,200 council homes already in North West Leicestershire.

In 2017, NWLDC reintroduced council housing to the area after 30 years and have since constructed new homes for 41 local residents in Coalville and seven in Ashby-de-la-Zouch.

The building programme has also included 24 new homes completed last year at the former police station site on Ashby Road, Coalville.

This offered a mix of affordable two-bedroom and three-bedroom homes, in addition to six one-bedroom flats, all of which were rented to tenants from the council's waiting list.

Councillor Roger Bayliss, Portfolio Holder for Housing and Customer Services at North West Leicestershire District Council, said: "We're incredibly pleased to welcome tenants to the new homes in Greenhill at the former Cocked Hat pub site.

"It's great to be a part of this project which has allowed us to convert an unloved site into much needed affordable housing for residents in the area.

"Where possible, our contractor, Robert Woodhead Limited, has continued to work through the pandemic whilst maintaining social distancing measures to deliver a number of high-quality homes."

Tom Woodhead, Business Services Director at Robert Woodhead Ltd, said: "It's good to be able to continue our partnership with North West Leicester District Council and EEM Ltd.

"The new homes are a great addition to the area and over the last year, having started on site last August, we have used many local businesses on the project.

"We have spent just over 40 per cent of the budget within 20 miles of the site which will have been a big boost for local companies, particularly during these challenging times."