THE final phase of affordable homes will be built on the former British Aerospace site in Welwyn Hatfield thanks to a government grant.

The Homes and Communities Agency (HCA) has awarded the borough council more than £2 million for the 49 new homes.

In the past £550,000 was pledged for 13 homes on Salisbury Village and the new development will be available for rent and shared ownership and will be marketed through the council's Choice Based Letting Scheme to applicants who have registered on the council's waiting list.

Councillor Roger Trigg, executive member for housing, said: “The award of this funding is fantastic news for the borough, particularly given the current economic climate.

“We will continue to work hard without partners to deliver new affordable homes, like those being developed at Salisbury Village, to meet local housing need.”

The development of the British Aerospace site began in 2002 and the council, together with housing associations, has secured almost £20 million of funding from the HCA for affordable developments.