Plans to build dozens of affordable homes in Newtown have taken a step forward as building companies are invited to apply to work on the project.

Powys County Council is looking to appoint a principal contactor to build 32 one-bedroom flats on the site of the former Robert Owen House in Park Lane.

The new energy efficient homes will be owned and managed by the council and allocated to applicants on the Powys Common Housing Register.

Cllr Matthew Dorrance, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for a Fairer Powys, said: “One of the priorities of the Cabinet is to tackle the housing emergency in the county and this can only be achieved by building high quality council housing.

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“To achieve this, we have approved an ambitious plan to build more than 310 new council homes as part of an investment package worth almost £79m.

“Not only is this development in Newtown part of our ambitious housing building plans, but it is also an important project for this council if it is to tackle the housing emergency.

“This is an exciting development that will meet the needs of the local community and the successful contractor will be helping us meet one of our important priorities.”

A pre-application consultation in July 2021 revealed that 317 applicants on the housing register wanted a one-bedroom property in Newtown.

The Robert Owen House site is one of several plots of land owned by Powys County Council that was transferred over form the property department and farm estate to the housing service in 2020 as part of a bid to build 250 homes by 2023.

Companies have until midday on June 19 to bid the tender for a principal contractor to develop social housing at Robert Owen House. The council anticipates that the 12-month project will be awarded in August 2023.