COUNCIL housing is set to be boosted across the county after Wiltshire Council pledged to build 1,000 more council homes over the next 10 years.

Tenants will be charged social rent, which is about half the price of market values to help people live independently who might not be able to afford it otherwise.

The first two years of the new programme will see 228 homes built at a cost of around £37.5m. The homes will include new builds built on council owned land, taking on affordable housing that has to be built by developers on new estates and re-buying ex Right to Buy properties.

This is part of the third phase of the authority's house building programme. Phase one and two has seen plans made for 250 new councils houses to be built, including the award-winning Southview development in Trowbridge.

Cllr Richard Clewer, deputy leader of the council said: “Picking up the keys to your own home is a special moment we want more Wiltshire people to enjoy. Having a safe, secure and affordable home has been shown to deliver health benefits alongside benefits relating to accessing education and employment.

It is not yet known where the homes will be located throughout the country.

"This commitment by Wiltshire Council will ensure there are affordable homes throughout the county, so people of all ages have the opportunity to remain in their communities and contribute to the local economy.”