A scheme to build ‘low-carbon’ houses in Newtown by Powys County Council has received a £2.6m boost from Welsh Government.

The plan to build 26 flats on Back Lane, Newtown will be the first council houses built in the county for nearly 40 years, and will be constructed using locally sourced Welsh timber to reduce the amount of carbon generated by the project.

The council say the flats will be available for rent and will help the authority to meet its ‘Vision 2025’, to build a minimum of 250 affordable homes across the county by 2023.

Cllr James Evans, Cabinet Member for Housing, said: “I’m delighted that we have received this funding from the Welsh Government, who see what we are planning to build as an innovative project.

“This will support the council in delivering on our promise to develop 250 additional homes over the next five years that meet the needs of the local communities across Powys.

“This development is just the first of many housing developments that we are planning across the county.

“Our design takes into account our Wood Encouragement Policy, which will see the timber used for both the primary structure and external materials including windows and doors.

“This exciting development is one that will meet the needs of the local community.”

Minister for Housing and Regeneration Rebecca Evans said it was an opportunity to build ‘high quality, near zero carbon homes’.

“We are investing in our Innovative Housing Programme to reduce fuel poverty, reduce the impact of house building on the environment, and reduce the health and wellbeing inequalities which are exacerbated by poor quality housing.

“It is clear that if the scale and pace of house-building is to increase significantly, traditional approaches are unlikely to deliver on their own. Done the right way, we have an opportunity to build high quality, near zero carbon homes, capturing and boosting the skills and expertise within the Welsh construction and manufacturing industries.”