Fourteen families will be able to enjoy Christmas in warm homes this year.

BCP Council has recently completed the Moorside Road development of four-bedroom affordable homes in the West Howe area of Bournemouth.

The homes have already been let to local families in housing need through the BCP Home Choice service and each property is now occupied.

All the homes are fitted with solar panels to increase energy efficiency, and every home boasts its own parking spaces and garden.

Cllr Duane Farr, ward councillor for Kinson, along with BCP Council colleagues, and representatives from constructors Parsons & Joyce, cut a ribbon to open the site officially and welcome the first excited families into their homes.

Cllr Farr said: “I was shown around one of the houses and it’s just great to see the use of the space. There are quite a few single bedroom properties available, so four-bedroom properties are what’s needed in the area and this development is just fantastic to see.”

Cllr Phillip Broadhead, deputy leader BCP Council and portfolio holder for Development, Growth and Regeneration, said: “Larger-sized, affordable and quality family housing is vitally important in any area. Bournemouth has needed it for some time, and we’ve delivered it in spades here at Moorside Road.

“This is a unique site, in which all the houses have four bedrooms. It’s great to see these properties start to fill up with local families ahead of Christmas, and to experience our strategy and investment making a real impact on BCP residents’ lives.”

The development has been constructed by Parsons and Joyce Contractors Ltd, a local company, whose work on site has been managed by the council’s Housing Delivery team.