CONSTRUCTION has begun on a 70-home development in southern Oxfordshire.

The 'affordable' homes, at Fern Hill Gardens, near Faringdon, are being built by developer Stonewater as the first stage of a larger project.

There will be a mixture of 53 'attractively designed homes for affordable rent' and 17 properties for 'low-cost shared ownership'.

The development is part of Bellway Homes’ new Fern Hill Gardens development of 200 homes, which is due to be completed in phases by July 2020.

One bedroom flats, as well as two, three and four bedroom family houses with private back gardens and parking are due to be built on the Greenfield scheme.

The site, on former Steed’s Farm land at the edge of Great Coxwell village, is within a mile of Faringdon town centre.

Prices for the shared ownership homes will start at £237,500.

Cllr Michael Murray, Vale of White Horse District Council’s Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Development, said: “We know how important affordable housing is.

"This development will make a valuable contribution towards meeting the need in our district.

He continued: "We are pleased to see progress being made and look forward to working once again with Stonewater to create further opportunities for local people.”

Arthur Gott, Stonewater's Development Manager, added: “These Stonewater affordable homes will provide a great opportunity for local people and families to get a foothold on the property ladder and rent or purchase a home of their own at a price they feel they can comfortably afford.

“Schemes like this one are vital to keeping young people, their families and local businesses and services in the community which are all critical to supporting the local economy and ensuring the town’s long-term health and sustainability.”