Work has started on the first of two housing schemes, which will see 18 new bungalows built in Mansfield District.

Mansfield District Council has appointed Novus Property Solutions to build two two-bed bungalows on an old garage site in Bonington Road, Mansfield, one of which will be wheelchair accessible. Work started on 15 September and will be completed by March 2015.

The council is also building 16 bungalows at Flint Avenue in Forest Town. The £3m development will include a one-bed and fifteen two-bed properties. Four of the two-bed properties will be wheelchair accessible.

The design detail is being finalised with Wates Living Space in readiness to commence work on site in mid-November, with a completion date of October 2015. The outside space will also be landscaped to provide a more attractive communal area that will include exercise equipment. The community centre will also be refurbished and new kitchen and toilet facilities will be installed.

All the properties will be rented out by the council to people aged 60 plus and in the first instance will be offered to residents currently living in council accommodation, who wish to downsize and free up family housing.

Executive Mayor Tony Egginton said: “The development of these two new schemes on Bonington Road and Flint Avenue shows yet again how Mansfield District Council is committed to building high quality new homes. We are one of the few local authorities who are investing heavily in providing new-build affordable housing and we are very proud of the exciting new developments currently underway, including the extra-care scheme on Brownlow Road.”