This is good news for homebuyers looking for a shared ownership property but it also means the council will miss its target of 32 homes.

Eight flats have are already occupied at Grove Court, Kiln Road which were built by East Thames Housing Group with government funding. Five were sold on shared ownership basis and the remaining three are based on a rent now, buy later scheme which sees tenants get some of their rent back after a five years deposit.

Wendy Goodwin, Cabinet Member responsible for homes said “this development was taken up within days of being released and it shows how desperate people are for affordable housing.”

A further 12 properties in Olive Road, Hadleigh are expected to be available before April and construction has commenced on ten new properties in Long Road, Canvey but they are not due to be completed until the end of the financial year. The council has also created two more properties for social rent, through an agreement with housing association Family Mosiac.