WORK on a £4 million development that can help solve housing shortages in a village outside Whitchurch is now underway.

The development, in a partnership between residents, Shropshire Council, Prees Parish Council and the Wrekin Housing Group is for 27 new homes.

It is hoped this development will help bring affordable housing to Shropshire at a time when the county faces a lack of affordable housing due to increasing gap between household incomes and average property prices across the county.

Under the development, one, two and three-bedroom houses and bungalows will be available for affordable rent and shared ownership and local people will be prioritised under the plans.

Councillor Raymond Hirons, chairman of Prees Parish Council, welcomed the development.

He said: "It’s our aspiration to ensure that everyone in Prees has somewhere affordable to settle, live and call home.

"We know that there is a real shortage of affordable housing in this area, and our local residents have worked tirelessly with partners to ensure that people with a local connection will be given priority to move into these homes."

The new homes are intended to be energy efficient and deliver cost savings for the residents.

Charlotte Prince, project manager at The Wrekin Housing Group, said: "A tremendous amount of effort has gone into making this development a reality.

"I would like to thank all partners – particularly the residents who have been involved in every stage of this project.

"This £4m investment and the addition of 27 new affordable high-quality homes will allow us to improve the range of properties available for local people and support the local economy.

"These homes are also energy-efficient, which will deliver cost-savings for our future residents."

Shropshire Council has been praised for listening to the concerns of residents over the increasing cost of living and helping ensure people will be able to remain within their communities.

Cllr Dean Carroll, Shropshire Council’s Cabinet member for Physical Infrastructure, believes the development is a big step to helping plug the gap in the market for affordable housing.

He said: "We are committed to providing affordable homes for local people and families who would not otherwise be able to afford to live within their own communities.

"We look forward to welcoming the first residents in the future.

"Affordable housing is in growing demand throughout Shropshire, as it is in many other parts of the UK, primarily due to the widening gap between the average household income and the average house price."

This £4m development is being built by Hawk Developments.