THE turf is being turned on five new council projects to bring more affordable homes to Brighton and Hove.

Building work has started on 29 new council homes at five sites across the city, including the construction of two wheelchair-accessible family bungalows, being built on the site of outdated temporary accommodation in Preston Road, which are set to be completed by the summer.

Work has also begun on 15 flats at the former Manor Place housing office.

The council said there were also 200 more new households in the pipeline, including 57 new flats at the former Whitehawk Library site and a further 28 at nearby Wellsbourne.

Councillor Bill Randall, housing committee chairman, said: “We hope to build around 500 new homes on council housing land by 2030.

“Too many families are struggling to pay private landlords and, with 20,000 households on the waiting list, it is crucial that we make the best possible use of existing housing sites.”

For more information on the council’s New Homes for Neighbourhoods, visit brighton-hove.gov.uk/nhfn