The Wrekin Housing Trust has started work on almost 1000 new homes in Shropshire, with many due to be ready this year.

965 new homes were started in 2015 by the largest affordable housing provider in the area, with many more planned in the coming years.

Sites started in Shropshire included new homes on the Coal Yard site in Gobowen, which will provide 22 new homes, the second phase of housing at Bower Farm in St Martins, providing 19 homes, and the regeneration of an area on Bridgewater Street next to Tesco in Whitchurch which, once complete, will bring 10 affordable homes to the area.

The Trust also started work on three extra care schemes totalling 215 individual apartments for those over 55, with help on hand when needed. These homes will be provided at Ellesmere Road in Shrewsbury, Holyhead Road in Bicton and Alexandra Road in Oswestry, all due to be complete early in 2017.

A number of other sites will be started this year such as Unicorn Rd and the former Leisure Centre site in Oswestry, with the Trust’s total new homes provided by 2018 currently standing at over 2000, including a mix of homes for rent and for sale through shared ownership schemes.

Jean Teichmann, Head of Development at the Trust, says: “This is a difficult time for housing providers but we’re bucking the trend by continuing with ambitious housebuilding plans for the area, providing very much-needed, quality, affordable homes for local people.”