CONSTRUCTION work on a dozen new homes in a village has got underway.

Hastoe has started the construction of 12 new affordable homes for local people in Pamber Heath.

Hastoe bought the land, on the east of Pamber Heath Road, from Hampshire County Council after a housing needs survey found a demand for more affordable homes in the area.

Once completed, all 12 of the new homes will be prioritised for people with a local connection to the parish.

Ranil Jayawardena, MP for North East Hampshire, joined Hastoe and its partners to celebrate the start of construction.

He said: “My constituents tell me that they want more homes that their children can actually afford to buy. So the shared ownership homes here are great news, as they’ll give folk a foothold on the property ladder.

“Thanks to all who’ve made this possible, from Pamber Parish Council to Homes England, through which the government has put in well over £500,000.”

The development will provide four one-bedroom flats and eight one to three-bedroom houses with five of the homes available for shared ownership and the other seven to rent.

Hastoe’s chief executive Andrew Potter said: “As specialists in building sustainable homes in rural communities, we understand the importance of providing the people of Pamber with affordable, high-quality housing.

“We’ve worked in close partnership with the local community to begin the building of this development, which will enable local residents to continue living and working in their village for many years to come.”

The new homes are due for completion in spring 2020.