HOUSING bosses have declared they are expecting more than 400 new affordable homes to be built over the course of the next three years.

It comes as Braintree Council says it is 'working hard' to make sure affordable properties are being built as part of new developments across the district.

Seven developments across Braintree, Witham, Halstead, Cressing, Silver End, Great Bardfield and Earls Colne - as well as homes built on land belonging to housing association Greenfields – will provide the 400 homes.

The council has also claimed more than 150 affordable homes will be built by the end of this financial year which ends next month.

Councillor Lynette Bowers-Flint said: "Affordable housing is an important part of the housing mix and it can offer hardworking families secure housing.

"As a district council we work hard to make sure that affordable homes are provided on new developments as a requirement through the planning process, by working closely with housing associations and by building homes on land we own.

"Our housing team also work hard to make sure vulnerable and older people have the right access to suitable housing and they are also helping people access private rented housing and driving up housing conditions."

The government defines affordable housing as 'social rented, affordable rented and intermediate housing, provided to specified eligible households whose needs are not met by the market.'

Braintree Council's housing stock was transferred to Greenfields in 2007 and the council’s affordable housing programme is owned by not for profit housing associations.

Greenfields says it has built 313 new homes across the district since 2012 and is hoping to build at least 200 more by 2020.

Greenfields chief executive, Emma Palmer, said: "We’re dedicated to offering quality homes and services that residents need.

"We’re on site in towns and villages including Braintree, Witham, Halstead, Kelvedon and Cressing, where we’re replacing ageing properties with modern homes, building bungalows on disused garage sites and providing affordable houses and flats on new developments.

"We look forward to continuing our work with the council, our partners and, of course, our residents to provide the homes and services that our communities deserve."