Plans have been approved to kick start the second phase of South Cambridgeshire District Council’s biggest council house building programme since the 1950s.

The development of fifteen new houses – four one-bedroom, six two-bedroom and five three-bedroom – at Hill Farm in Foxton was given the go-ahead by the council’s planning committee today.

The new development, which has the support of Foxton Parish Council, will provide affordable homes for people with a local connection to the village.

Work is scheduled to start on-site during the next financial year and people could move in as early as 2017.

The council started an investment of £30 million for up to 200 new homes serving people on housing waiting lists over the next 10 years.

Foxton district councillor Deborah Roberts said: “Having instigated this project, I’m delighted to see today’s approval.

“This has very much been a joint effort between local people and the council, and I’m so pleased that we’ve moved a step closer to getting work started on these much-needed new homes.”

Councillor Mark Howell, cabinet member for housing, said: “It’s great to see the next phase of our building programme moving forward, working with parish councils and local councillors to help meet local housing need.

“I am very grateful for the support we have had.”