Ian Clarke Opposition councillors have urged the ruling Conservative group on Breckland Council to invest �2m to kick-start a social housing programme for local people.

Ian Clarke

Opposition councillors have urged the ruling Conservative group on Breckland Council to invest �2m to kick-start a social housing programme for local people.

Labour leader Robin Goreham and colleague Michael Fanthorpe said �1m could be used from reserves and �1m could be transferred from the capital projects budget in the first year, with more in future years to provide homes for “hundreds of people.”

Mr Fanthorpe said: “The government has now removed any obstacles to councils building new houses and retaining the rental income. The time has come for this council to start building our own council houses and it is imperative that the housing needs of local people are met.”

Mr Goreham added: “Breckland calls itself an entrepreneurial council. Well, then, let the Tories demonstrate their commitment to local people by investing in new council homes. This could be the beginning of a new epoch for Breckland.”

Council leader William Nunn welcomed the government's change of stance on removing obstacles but said Breckland was likely to invest even more than �2m from its “mud to houses” policy.

“Housing is one of our top priorities and the housing waiting list is a huge problem. We need to assess what is needed and deliver appropriate housing.”