SEVEN new family homes will be built by Brent Council – the first homes to be built in 30 years.

The new homes, which aim to be completed by June next year, are being built by Brent Housing Partnership (BHP) with funding from the council and Greater London Authority (GLA)

The seven new council-owned houses will be built on former garage sites in Slough Lane in Kingsbury, Runbury Circle in Kingsbury and Eskdale Close in North Wembley.

Representatives from the council, BHP and Eskdale Close Residents Association celebrated the news by visiting the construction site in Eskdale Close where two new three-bedroom family homes are being built for ‘affordable rent’.

Patricia O'Reilly, chair of the residents association said: "I think it's positive that BHP and Brent Council are building new family homes which will benefit people in housing need.

“I was once homeless and being offered council housing really helped me and changed my life.

“I believe everyone deserves a roof over their head and it's encouraging to see BHP and the council making a real difference in the community."

The homes will cost £1.4million to build with help from a grant of £326,000 from the GLA.

This is the first time in three decades that the council has funded its own building programme and comes in addition to the wider work the council is doing to tackle the housing crisis and provide affordable housing for residents.