A PROJECT to deliver affordable housing has moved forward after the first homes were handed over to the council.

The site on Conwy Close in Tilehurst is being transformed with 57 homes, as part of an £11m project.

Construction started back in October last year, with a view to introducing a range of one and two-bed flats.

The first five completed properties are now in the possession of Reading Borough Council and will be advertised to let in the next few weeks.

Councillor John Ennis, lead member for Housing, said: “I am thrilled that the council has taken delivery of the first flats in the Conwy Close affordable homes scheme.

“This council house building project is the biggest in this current phase of construction works and will provide 57 new affordable homes for local people.

“I am delighted that the first tenants will be able to move into their modern new homes in the next few weeks and that there will be more houses coming on line in January.”

The project is expected to be completed by the summer of 2019, with works being carried out by housebuilding firm Hill.

The scheme at Conwy Close is one of a number of initiatives the council has put in place to tackle the town’s housing crisis.

A number of temporary homes came into use in January for households who would otherwise be placed in bed and breakfast accommodation.

The authority has also agreed to invest almost £20m in the construction of up to 100 new affordable homes in its next house building programme.

Ryan Harris, regional director at Hill, said: “We were delighted to join Reading Borough Council in celebrating the completion of the first homes at Conwy Close.

"Working with the council, the development is playing a vital role in providing local families with high-quality affordable homes.

"We look forward to the first residents moving in within the next few weeks.”