TWENTY-one affordable homes have been officially completed at a housing development on the outskirts of Weymouth.

The houses are located at the Pemberly development in Littlemoor, and bosses from construction company Stonewater officially unveiled the homes with a ribbon-cutting ceremony earlier this week.

The new complex of 17 homes for affordable rent and four for shared ownership has been built to help tackle the shortage of affordable housing for local people in the area.

Richard Stevenson, Stonewater executive director, said: “Stonewater is committed to delivering high quality, affordable housing in areas like Littlemoor where they are desperately needed.

“Pemberly is one of several affordable housing communities Stonewater has in Weymouth which is enabling local people with strong links to the area to stay close to their family, friends and work.”

Mr Stevenson said:“These properties are absolutely vital to preserving the long-term economic viability, infrastructure and wellbeing of the community.

“We are looking forward to providing a further 32 more homes like these in Pemberly which will come on stream during the next three phases of the development.”

Stonewater worked with Weymouth and Portland Borough Council and Dorset-based construction company FH Cummings, to deliver the new

The new homes are within walking distance of shops, local transport and amenities, and are the first part of four-phase development of 176-homes off Louviers Road which will include 53 affordable homes.

Cllr Kevin Brookes, briefholder for Housing at Weymouth and Portland Borough Council, said: “Stonewater is to be congratulated for the completion of these affordable houses at Sedge place.

“These 21 units of affordable housing are very much needed in this area for local families and will go some way in reaching the Council’s affordable housing completion targets for the year.

“I was very impressed with the design and build quality of the individual homes and look forward to welcoming the next phase.”

This takes the total amount of properties Stonewater has in Weymouth to more than 180 properties.