TWENTY-two council homes have been handed over to residents after the final phase of Thurrock Council's Claudian Way development was completed.

The keys to the remaining council homes at Chadwell St Mary were handed over to Thurrock residents this month, as part of the council's £32million investment in new council homes for affordable rent for people on the borough's housing register.

Cabinet Member for Housing Cllr Barry Johnson said: "I'm delighted that the final handover phase of Claudian Way has gone so well, in line with current and ongoing government coronavirus guidance, and our residents are benefitting from these much-needed council homes.

"We've responded to housing demand from Thurrock residents on our housing allocations scheme who are elderly or have mobility issues by including 21 bungalows – three of which are wheelchair accessible and 16 of which have wet rooms. Our residents also wanted to minimise high rise buildings and see ample amenity space, which we have provided with attractive communal gardens."

The Claudian Way development, which has been constructed by United Living, includes a mixture of one, two and three bedroom properties made up of 22 flats, 10 houses and 21 bungalows.

Cllr Johnson added: "Despite the challenges of 2020, we handed over the keys to a total of 60 brand new council homes – 31 at Claudian Way and 29 at our award-winning Alma Court development that has transformed the former Tops Club site in Grays last year. Work continues to progress in our Calcutta Road development in Tilbury.

"Everyone should have access to a good quality home. We are committed to investing in new council homes for our residents that are both a high standard and affordable to those who are eligible. It's fantastic what our teams have achieved on this project."