West Lancashire Borough Council's £13 million housing investment will create new homes and make hundreds of others even better places to live.



Work has started on building 27 new homes on the former Westec House site, close to the Council offices in Derby Street, in the heart of Ormskirk.



18 houses will be built to be sold on the open market. These will comprise of:



· Three two-bedroom terraced houses

· Eight two-bedroom semi-detached houses

· Six three-bedroom semi-detached houses

· One three-bedroom detached house

Another two-bedroom terraced house will be available for shared ownership. The other eight homes will be one-bedroom apartments to be retained by the Council and rented on an affordable basis.



As an ambitious Council we are committed to delivering tangible and visible improvements across the Borough. In Skelmersdale work is well underway on the Beechtrees Revival Scheme. The Council has demolished nine blocks of flats and four houses and the construction of 36 two-bedroom homes is expected to start in April. The Revival Scheme will significantly improve the appearance of this part of Digmoor.



The Council is looking at opportunities to build even more new homes in the future through its proposed Development Company.



Other major investment projects benefiting existing Council tenants were also given the go ahead at the Council meeting on 28 February 2018. Councillors agreed the Housing Revenue Account budget for 2018/19 which included:



· £2.2 million being spent on roofing works

· £1.068 million investment in routine repairs to improve homes, including repointing brickwork

· £862,000 funding for heating systems to keep tenants warm

· £847,000 on electrical rewiring works

· £1,179,000 for replacement kitchens and bathrooms

Councillor Jennifer Forshaw, portfolio holder for Housing and Landlord Services, said: “The Council is very excited about the projects to build new homes in Ormskirk and in Skelmersdale, The Beechtrees scheme will really help enhance this part of Digmoor. The Ormskirk scheme will provide 27 new homes, and the funds raised from the sale of homes will go towards supporting the Council's capital programme and helping to meet our priorities.



"Revitalising our estates and improving homes are key priorities in the Council Plan, and the Council is working hard to continue investing substantial amounts in its Council homes to help improve the lives of tenants.”



The Council’s Housing Account is funded from money raised through rents and service charges to provide services for Council tenants and leaseholders.

Decisions made by the government mean that the rents for Council tenants in both general needs and sheltered accommodation will reduce by 1% in 2018/19.



For more information on Council housing please visit www.westllancs.gov.uk/housing.