Houses built as part of a north Pembrokeshire’s plan for more affordable homes will remain social rented housing even if the freehold is bought with a price tag of no less than £2million.

A long lease was granted to Solva Community Land Trust for council land where affordable homes will be developed, in partnership with housing association Ateb in 2019, with grant funding provided by the council via the second home council tax premium.

Eighteen houses will be built on part of Solva playing fields with work due to start later this year.

At cabinet on Monday (June 28) members approved an option to dispose of the freehold at the end of the lease as part of the scheme following negotiations between all involved.

Pembrokeshire county council’s cabinet member for finance Clr. Bob Kilmister said that the option price is exceeding £2million and it “will be the higher of the amount of grant funding awarded in relation to the development and the market value of the property.”

This is “on the basis that the property cannot be used for any purpose other than social rented housing” and would be subject to a covenant which would be registerable as a local land charge.

“Successful completion of this development would see the creation of affordable homes for the benefit of local people, giving them the option to remain in their area, rather than having to relocate to secure appropriate housing,” a cabinet report adds.

Cabinet member for housing Clr. Michelle Bateman added her support to the recommendation of approval, and said “it is good to see this making progress.”