Construction work is set to begin on a new development of council homes in Uttlesford.

Willmott Dixon, the contractors, appointed by the district council, will start on site in the next week to develop eight houses, nine bungalows and 12 flats at Mead Court and Cannons Mead in Stansted Mountfitchet.

The developers will be taking a two phase approach, with the first phase due for completion in November.

Cllr Julie Redfern, UDC’s cabinet member for housing, said: “This is a fantastic and much-needed scheme for our district and most importantly our housing tenants.

“We are replacing severely-outdated bedsit accommodation, which has become very difficult to let, as well as some garages with a new development of individually-designed council homes.”

All new homes will be sustainable, warm and secure. They will each feature affordable, efficient heating and hot water systems designed to minimise fuel consumption and will therefore be good for the environment as well as saving tenants money on fuel.

Craig Tatton, managing director for Willmott Dixon’s housing company, said: “Like with all our projects, the ‘local pound’ element is an important issue and we’ll be working with local companies as much as possible to sustain jobs and help create new ones.”

Cllr Redfern added: “I hope our tenants will be able to move in to their new home in time for Christmas. This development is a positive, if small, step towards meeting the council’s housing needs.

“We very much look forward to seeing a new development of individually-designed council homes that reflect the needs of modern living and provoke a sense of pride within the community.”