A NEW £8.5-million affordable housing project in Highbridge has been given the thumbs-up from local politicians.

The new development has been overseen by Sedgemoor District Council and also involves the Homes and Communities Agency, Knightstone Housing Association and Bovis Homes.

It will provide 58 new homes on the former market site, along with 22 homes on the former Highbridge Hotel site, in partnership with the YMCA.

The Conservative’s prospective MP for Highbridge and Burnham, James Heappey, accompanied the Justice Secretary, Chris Grayling, to see the new development on Friday (March 20, 2015).

“Sedgemoor District Council is to be congratulated on delivering yet another quality affordable housing scheme and for doing so on a brownfield site,” said Mr Heappey.

Mr Grayling MP added: “I’m grateful to Sedgemoor District Council, Knightstone and Bovis for showing me around this development.

“We need a good supply of affordable homes to give people the opportunity and security that comes with having a home of their own.”

Sedgemoor’s housing spokesman, Cllr Andrew Gilling, said: “This council has overseen the delivery of record numbers of affordable homes in recent years – punching above our weight in helping to meet the demand from local people.”