NEW affordable homes have been welcomed in Christchurch.

Mayor Cllr John Lofts cut the ribbon on the development at 18 Hyde Mews in Clarendon Road.

The seven two-bedroom apartments are part of an overall development of 24 homes and are the first in the borough to be provided by Radian.

To mark the occasion, Cllr Lofts was invited along with council leader Cllr Ray Nottage, Margaret Scott, chairman of Radian, and new residents Chris Jarvis and Sam Barnes.

At the ceremony Cllr Lofts said: “We are very pleased to have worked with Radian for the first time on this block of affordable housing. Each of the two-bedroom flats has been matched with occupants at most need on the housing register.”

Radian owns and manages social housing in both Poole and Bournemouth and is looking to procure 3,500 new homes by March 2020, it said.

Group chairman Margaret Scott added: “By expanding our housing provision to Christchurch we hope to bring lots of benefits to the local community: new homes, services.

“At Radian we pride ourselves on our long term investment in the care and support of our residents and we will look to increase the provision of affordable homes throughout east Dorset over the coming years.”