PLANS to invest more than £14 million to build 110 affordable homes in the borough are set to be approved by Wigan Council.

The proposals include a 60-home development in Park Road, Hindley – consisting of eight two bedroom bungalows and 32 two, 16 three and four four-bedroom homes – as well as schemes in Winstanley and Orrell.

Building will start during the 2017-18 financial year subject to planning approval being obtained.

The council is investing significantly in the programme and is also applying for funding from the Homes and Communities Agency.

The homes will be let on affordable rents to applicants on the council’s housing register and there may also be options for shared ownership and owner occupation.

The council says the plans will address housing need in the borough which sees more than 40 per cent of new households unable to afford housing for rent or sale.

Cllr David Molyneux, cabinet member for regeneration, said: “This is a significant investment by the council in the type of new and affordable homes which are in high demand by our residents.

“As part of The Deal we are committed to delivering new homes to suit demand and playing a key role in making sure housing needs are addressed in the borough.

“The types of homes, including bungalows, will also support the delivery of our innovative approach to social care by enabling residents to live longer and healthier lives in their own homes and reduce the demand and costs on care services and on hospitals.”

Around 58 per cent of those on the council housing register are singletons and couples with a one bedroom need.

Around 30 per cent of applicants are aged over 60 and many are living in accommodation that does not, or will not in the future, suit their medical and care needs.

The current supply of available properties in the borough is mostly three bedroom family houses.

The council has a target of building 250 homes over the next five years.

Its cabinet will consider the plans on Thursday.

A development of affordable homes in Hindley which was completed last year was named the best of its kind in the country.

Riding Close, a scheme of 81 homes, including a range of family houses, bungalows and flats, won Best New Build Scheme category at the 2016 National Federation of ALMOs Awards.

Residents now living there have described it as ‘heaven’.