Liberal Democrat-led District Council move forward with plans to build new social housing

A new contractor has been appointed for the project, which will see the provision of brand new social housing here in St Albans on the former King Offa site. It will include a two-bedroom, wheelchair-adapted bungalow, two four-bedroom detached homes and 11 three-bedroom homes.

Liberal Democrat Councillor for Sopwell, Sarwar Shashmer, said: "Decent, family sized homes are much in need and something I hear from many residents in Sopwell about.

''I'm delighted a new contractor has been appointed for the King Offa to build the homes our community needs as well as regenerate a site that has been empty for a while. I'm also pleased that the poor quality temporary accommodation has gone from the Norman Close part of this site, and that this has been reprovided elsewhere in the district to a much better standard, meaning the whole site can be used for permanent social housing that gives families secure tenancies at social rent."

Liberal Democrat Councillor Jacqui Taylor, Lead for Housing, said: "I'm determined that as a Lib Dem-led council we deliver as much social housing around the district as possible and this is one of a number of key projects. We recently completed homes at Noke Shot in Harpenden, a mix of flats and 3-bedroom houses is well under way in New Greens in Batchwood and it will be pleasing to see the new contractor get on site at the former King Offa in Sopwell.

''It was sad to see the previous contractor, Jarvis Contracting, go under as it was a local company that provided skilled jobs for local people and they had a good track record on other projects in the district. Despite the challenges brought about by the chaos the Conservative government inflicts with inflation and the cost of living crisis, we remain committed to delivering the housing that people need."