Last night (September 6), Mendip District Council's Cabinet unanimously agreed to push forward with its plans for social housing in the area, including in Shepton Mallet.

Mendip says it is determined to deliver on its social housing programme, being part of its key priority to "make Mendip a fairer place".

The scheme - the first for two decades - promises to create jobs, boost skills and the local economy, while leaving a lasting legacy of social homes offering fair rents for residents.

Last night, the Cabinet unanimously agreed to push forward its efforts for this provision. Members heard more than 1,600 families in Mendip are currently on its housing register.

A social housing report was noted and approved by members. The paper provided an update on a number of social housing projects progressing across the district. They are:

Shepton Mallet

To bring forward a development of 15 bungalows and houses with LiveWest as a partner. This is in the early stages of the project and further information will be brought back to members in due course.

Glastonbury and Street

Exchange contracts with Aster for the sale of Norbins Road Car Park and Cemetery Lane. Planning applications from Aster are expected in the autumn. Norbins Road will provide six homes, and Cemetery Lane 33 homes.

Frome

Mendip is working with Stonewater to build 18 highly energy-efficient homes on part of the car park at North Parade in Frome.

This site attracted central government Land Release Funding during the previous administration. Planning application could be submitted before the end of the year.

All three housing association partners the council is working with (Aster, LiveWest and Stonewater) have just received strategic partner status from Homes England - which means they will be able to access the funding needed to deliver social housing projects.

Cllr Richard Pinnock, portfolio holder for housing at Mendip District Council, said: "Delivering social housing is difficult.

"If it was easy then the private sector would do it. They don't.

"It is often left to local authorities, working in partnership with housing associations, to take up that responsibility instead.

"Mendip's social housing ambition is a good example of where this council can step-in and provide housing for people who would otherwise have no hope of a home."