A disused block of flats in Banbury is set to receive a facelift and be revived as social housing.

Cherwell District Council's contractor, Beard Construction, is poised to begin refurbishment works at Town Centre House aimed at repairing the roof and incorporating several improvements.

Councillor Nicholas Mawer, portfolio holder for housing, said: "We have an ambition to drive up the quality of social housing in north Oxfordshire, and although we manage a relatively low number of properties, we are determined to lead by example.

"With repairs to the roof needed anyway, we are taking the opportunity to invest in a thorough refurbishment of Town Centre House.

"This forward-thinking project will ensure that tenants can benefit from secure accommodation for years to come."

Town Centre House will offer 36 flats post-improvements, which include fire safety upgrades and a reconfiguration to make some units more family-friendly.

The council had to relocate tenants following an alert in 2022 concerning potential hazards posed by reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete, a material used in the building's roof.

Investigations revealed that buying and revamping Town Centre House would be financially sound in the long run for taxpayers.

The council used the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities' Local Authority Housing Fund to optimise available resources.

The first occupants will be refugees relocated to the area under district or government resettlement initiatives.