Five new energy efficient homes for affordable rent and shared ownership have been completed in North Woodchester.

The properties, near St Mary's Church, each have allocated parking spaces, private gardens and are within walking distance of the village school. Ecological measures include the installation of bat boxes, a bat roost and sparrow terraces.

Tenants have already moved into the three affordable-rent terraced homes, and the two semi-detached shared ownership homes have been reserved.

The homes were built by construction firm Speller Metcalfe on behalf of the council. Despite suffering a nine-week shutdown due to coronavirus, the project was completed ahead of the revised schedule, enabling families to be settled in well before Christmas.

Cllr Mattie Ross, chair of Stroud District Council's Housing Committee said: "This is very welcome news at the end of a difficult year for us all. Providing affordable, energy efficient homes for our diverse and changing population is one of Stroud District Council's key priorities."

Mark Eaton, living division manager at Speller Metcalfe, said: "Speller Metcalfe is extremely proud to deliver these new homes, particularly in such a challenging year where projects such as this have provided varied employment opportunities for many local businesses.

"We are delighted to be passing these on in time for Christmas, which in line with Stroud District Council's aspirations will provide much needed affordable housing for the Stroud district."

Stroud District Council is the only local authority in Gloucestershire which still owns and manages council houses, with the others having transferred them into other social housing organisations.

Work will begin on 36 new energy efficient affordable homes in Eastington, Minchinhampton and Nailsworth in the new year.

Stroud District Council build 239 homes for its own stock of rented properties between 2014 and 2019, and has an action plan to build 111 more.