WORK on the first homes to be built by Golden Gates Housing Trust (GGHT) has started.

The housing trust is building 18 new affordable homes in Howson Road, Orford through working with Helena Partnerships and contractors Harbour Construction to build a mix of two and three bedroom homes to meet the need for more affordable family housing in the borough.

The £1.5milllion build was funded by GGHT and the Homes & Communities Agency (HCA) and is part of the trust’s current plans to build 152 new properties in five years.

GGHT chairman Roy Smith said: “The development marks a new era for GGHT and being able to offer more affordable homes in Warrington is great news.

"With the project being managed by Helena, we have been able to use their experience in development and start the project much quicker.

"This has allowed us to take advantage of their status as a preferred development partner for Warrington Borough Council and use their contractor framework, which was already in place. We are looking forward to seeing these houses turning into homes.”

The build is expected to take until September 2015 the new homes will be GGHT properties and will be let via CHOOSEaHOME.

Updates of the project are available on Twitter using #GGHTNewBuild.