Work is under way to build 12 family council homes in Mansfield.

The £1.76m development in Pye Avenue is one of several housing schemes being built for Mansfield District Council, which will see more than 170 homes created over the next couple of years.

The project is being funded by the council from its own financial resources with help from a £216,000 grant from the Homes and Communities Agency.

Building on the site began in June and is expected to take a year to complete. It will transform the former disused garage site, which attracted anti-social behaviour and fly-tipping and was a source of on-going concern to local residents.

The 12 houses — five with three bedrooms and seven with two bedrooms — will be owned and let by the council.

To apply to live in one, residents must first register with the council’s Homefinder service.

The properties are likely to be advertised in spring next year.

The development, constructed by Geda Construction, Kegworth, will provide much-needed new housing in the district.

It is also expected to provide work for about 120 people, many of them from the district, over the course of the project.

In addition, the scheme will create four apprenticeships and provide work experience for at least four construction industry students from West Nottinghamshire College, Mansfield.

Portfolio holder for housing Coun Barry Answer said: “This scheme represents a significant investment in council housing in the area, which was one of the mayor’s pledges, and this will provide 12 much-needed family homes, as well as work and business for local people in the course of their construction.”

Pictured are Geda contract manager Ray Jordan with deputy mayor Coun Mick Barton and Coun Stuart Richardson.