A NEW £1.1million council housing development has been built in Llandybie as part of Carmarthenshire’s ambitious plan to deliver more affordable homes.

The eight two-bed semi-detached houses in Maespiode are the first to be delivered under the county council’s £150million new build programme.

The homes have modern kitchens and bathrooms, exceptionally high levels of insulation and are fitted with solar panels that will generate electricity and help provide lower energy bills for tenants.

A tree has also been planted in every garden to off-set carbon emissions, part of the council’s commitment to become net zero carbon by 2030.

The houses are available to applicants on the housing register and were delivered on behalf of the council by local building contractors TRJ Ltd.

Cabinet Member for Housing Cllr Linda Evans said: “Providing more affordable homes is a key priority for the council and I am delighted to see this new development – the first of many – has been completed in Llandybie for the benefit of local residents on the housing register.

“We are committed to delivering more than 900 new builds by 2029 which will be the biggest increase in council housing stock in Carmarthenshire since the 1970s.

"As well as providing much needed homes in the county, the investment will also boost the local economy creating jobs, training opportunities and apprenticeships in the construction industry.”

New council houses are also under construction in Gwynfryn, Ammanford; Dylan, Llanelli; Glanmor Terrace, Burry Port and Garreglwyd, Pembrey and are due for completion in the next 12 to 18 months.

Council leader Emlyn Dole said: “We are proud to lead the way in Carmarthenshire and are committed to delivering an ambitious affordable housing programme to build much-needed high-quality homes for local people, create more jobs, stimulate economic growth and help wider-scale regeneration in our communities.

“This is even now more critical as we recover from the economic effects of the Covid-19 pandemic.”