DOZENS of new council homes are being constructed as part of an £11million project to tackle the housing crisis.

Housebuilders Hill Partnership is overseeing the scheme at Conwy Close, Tilehurst, which started this week with a view to welcoming families in the autumn 2018.

The development of 57 homes will deliver a diverse range of accommodation to reflect the demands on Reading Borough Council's housing register.

Councillor John Ennis, lead member for Housing, said: “I am thrilled this major council house building development is underway.

“There is a huge demand for affordable accommodation in Reading and this scheme will go some way towards meeting that need.

“This project will provide good quality homes close to local amenities and with good transport links to the town centre and employment hubs.

"I look forward to welcoming the first families into Conwy Close next year.”

The project is expected to be completed by the summer of 2019 and will include 12 one-bed flats and 22 two-bed flats.

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

Other schemes include the construction of 28 temporary homes on Lowfield Road in Caversham The homes will feature traditional red-brick exteriors and be offset with communal areas and newly-planted trees.

Ryan Harris, regional director at Housebuilders Hill Partnership, said: “We are delighted to be working with the council to deliver these homes for the benefit of local families.

“Councils are increasingly needing to be more creative in order to provide housing and other local amenities and we are currently partnering with a number of councils, including Reading, to help them better utilise land and other resources at their disposal.

“These local authorities are individually unlocking a number of previously untapped opportunities and increasing housing production within their areas.”