Work has started on an £8.3m housing scheme to provide 76 new affordable homes in Peterborough.

Leading affordable housing provider bpha is developing the homes for affordable rent and shared ownership at Wesleyan Road, Dogsthorpe.

The scheme - supported by Peterborough City Council and the Housing Corporation - will provide a proportion of homes for those from Black and Minority Ethnic (BME) communities.

Research shows that members of these communities are under-represented when it comes to accessing affordable housing.

Cllr John Holdich, cabinet member for housing, regeneration and economic development at Peterborough City Council, said: “I welcome this important development, which will help meet the housing needs of some of Peterborough’s residents unable to find suitable accommodation or get on the property ladder.

“With more than 8,000 people on our housing options waiting list, developments such as this remain a priority for the city council.”

Building work started on the first homes earlier this month and the first properties are set to be completed in spring 2008. All homes are due to be completed by September 2009.

Around half the homes, which range from two-bedroom apartments to four-bedroom family homes, will be offered at affordable rents to those in greatest housing need on Peterborough City Council’s housing register.

The remainder will be offered for shared ownership under a scheme known as New Build HomeBuy. This allows eligible households to buy a share in a new home which they can afford using savings and a mortgage, and rent the remainder from bpha. In time, shared owners can choose to increase the share they own.

The scheme is available to those on lower incomes including key workers – frontline public sector staff such as teachers and nurses.

As the Government-appointed HomeBuy agent for Cambridgeshire, bpha will offer help and advice to those interested in the homes, via its sales and marketing team Keyhomes East.

David Keeling, Executive Director for development at bpha, said: “These homes will provide a major boost to the levels of affordable housing in Peterborough.

“We are particularly pleased that 25 of the homes will be earmarked for members of BME communities as we know this is a real priority in the city. The development will also offer opportunities for others on low incomes to access high quality housing, and get on the housing ladder through shared ownership.

“We have worked closely with Peterborough City Council to ensure that the development at Wesleyan Road meets local housing needs, and look forward to welcoming the first residents as the homes are completed.”

Anyone interested in shared ownership in Cambridgeshire should contact Keyhomes East on 0845 456 6757 or visit www.keyhomes-east.org.uk