A scheme to provide up to 160 affordable houses across five Mendip-owned sites in Frome, Glastonbury and Street has been backed by councillors.

Members of Mendip District Council's Cabinet gave approval last night (November 2) to transfer four sites to a housing association to build affordable and social rent homes, subject to planning permission.

In Frome, one of the sites is located at Easthill, while another earmarked for development as part of this first phase of affordable housing delivery, is at North Parade car park, where a pilot scheme for highly sustainable, modular housing is being considered.

In Glastonbury, the site earmarked is at Norbins Road car park, while in Street, the sites are at Cemetery Lane and at Cranhill Road car park, where half of the car park is included in the scheme, with the parking provision nearest the High Street set to be retained.

The scheme is part of the council's corporate priorities of "making Mendip a fairer place". It is planned that the construction works will create jobs and boost the local economy, meanwhile occupiers will enjoy reasonable rents.

In Mendip, there are currently 1,685 households registered on Somerset Homefinder looking to access housing at social rent, which are rents at substantially below market levels. There are a further 250 households requiring other forms of affordable housing.

Cllr Liz Leyshon, portfolio holder for corporate services and projects, said: "Demand for social rent is up five per cent in the past five months.

"That's expected to rise dramatically as the effects of the Covid pandemic are prolonged, and Government interventions and economic assistance, fall away.

"It's essential that the council steps forward to meet demand. Everyone has the right to a home."

These five plots represent the start of a social housing programme by Mendip – the first of its kind for 20 years.

The council is hoping to deliver a total of up to 500 affordable and social homes on land parcels throughout the district.

There will be engagement with a mix of registered provider partners, and consultation with city, town and parish councils, as well as organisations such as Community Land Trusts.

Leader of Mendip District Council, Cllr Ros Wyke, said Cabinet had made a "significant decision" in backing the scheme.

She said: "This is an innovative and ambitious programme to address the urgent need that is clearly out there, and one which has been exacerbated by economic uncertainty due to the Covid crisis.

"We must build at pace to provide houses for our residents now, and in so doing, we will leave a lasting legacy of social homes offering fair rents for the people of Mendip."

Detailed development proposals for the first phase of new homes are expected go before Planning Board in the spring. Meanwhile work to develop other specific sites will be brought forward in the months ahead.