TWO new bungalows for elderly people will be built in Mere after planning permission was granted.

The bungalows will be owned and run by Wiltshire Council and will aim to help older residents remain within their local community and have a home that is energy efficient and cost effective to run.

This means the properties they are currently in can be released for larger families on the housing register.

Jonathon Seed, cabinet member for housing, said: “We are committed to providing new affordable homes and this is an excellent way to utilise council-owned land to provide needed housing.

"I am particularly delighted we are providing affordable homes for our older residents in rural areas so they can continue to enjoy and be part of their own local communities. This will then free up larger houses for the many families in Wiltshire who need somewhere to live.”

The scheme is part of Wiltshire Council's £42.5million housing development programme, which will see more than 220 new affordable homes built in Wiltshire by 2020.

Planning permission was granted in December, and it is anticipated construction will begin during the summer, with the homes ready to be occupied by Spring 2018.