NINE families have moved into the first new homes in the largest development of council housing in the New Forest for more than 20 years.

Tenants will move into the remaining 12 of 21 homes on the North Milton estate by the end of February.

The £5.8million housing project is part of the council’s housing strategy to provide affordable homes to rent for local residents.

Built on land on the New Milton estate already owned by the council, the new homes include a mix of small terraces, chalet bungalows, and detached properties providing one four-bed, six three-bed, and 14 two-bed homes.

A new park and children’s play area has also been built.

Councillor Jill Cleary, portfolio holder for housing and communities, said: “Social housing in this area is in great demand so I am delighted to see local families moving into these much-needed new homes. Many of them have been waiting for several years, and it is wonderful to see the positive difference that these high-quality new homes will make to their lives.

“And this is just the start,” she continued. “In the next three years we will be building another 55 new homes for local people, and we’re developing a new homes strategy that will help us to address the pressing need for affordable homes in the New Forest well into the future.”

Cllr Cleary saw the finished homes when she visited new tenants Alex and Steve Hood, and their children Ellie, 12, and Charlie, 7, in their new three-bedroom house.

Alex and Steve, who both work full-time, have been on the council’s waiting list for a house for nearly eight years.

“Our son and daughter are so excited to have their own rooms after sharing a bedroom for so long and to have a garden to enjoy” Alex said.

“We’ve been living in a two-bed flat but now our daughter is at secondary school, she really needs her own space to do her homework. We are thrilled to bits.”

Darren Gill, managing director for Bouygues UK, who were the main contractor on the project, added: “We are very proud to be involved in a scheme that will have such a positive impact on the local community. As well as the new homes we are building, we will also be making extensive landscaping improvements to the surrounding area, providing existing residents with improved facilities and increased accessibility throughout the estate.”