CONSTRUCTION work on the first council homes in West Somerset for more than 30 years is due to start at Seaward Way, Minehead.

A total of 54 social housing units with affordable rents between 60 and 80 per cent of market rates will be built by Somerset West and Taunton Council over the next two years.

The development features 21 two-, three- and four-bedroom houses and 33 one- and two-bedroom flats to accommodate up to 177 people. Three properties will be adapted for residents with mobility support requirements and a play area space will be included.

Construction will follow the London Energy Transformation Initiative definition of net zero with all predicted operational energy generated on site through using low carbon technologies, including PV panels, thermal storage with smart controllers and air source heat pumps.

Electric vehicle charging points will be installed for each house, and communal points for the flats.

The project has received funding from various EDF though the council’s Hinkley Point C housing strategy and a Local Authority Accelerated Construction grant from Homes England.

A turf-cutting ceremony was held on Tuesday (March15) attended by councillors and council staff and representatives of Classic Builders (SW) Ltd.

SWT executive member for housing Cllr Fran Smith said: “We've committed to delivering 1,000 new homes over the next 30 years, all of which will comply with 2050 zero-carbon standards, and I’m delighted we’ve now reached the main contract works stage for Seaward Way.

“As one of the first council-led social housing developments in the area for many years, it matches local housing need combined with the latest offering in energy-efficient technologies to help progress our net zero ambitions for the district.”

The development will be used as an exemplar scheme to showcase the latest innovations in environmentally friendly construction and design for development partners to support and adopt a higher standard in building regulations.

Consequently, the Good Homes Alliance has already featured Seaward Way in its net zero and ultra-low energy housing case studies.

The building work is projected to complete during 2023 to 2024. Priority will be given to those living in or having connections to Minehead.