THE first new council houses built in Somerset for more than 30 years will be shown to the public next week.

Somerset Council is inviting people to view properties on the new Rainbow Way development, in Minehead.

The first apartments on the 54-home development are nearing completion and prospective tenants can have a look around between 2pm and 5pm on Tuesday, January 21.

The first houses to be completed are already occupied and a further 16 are due to be completed next month, including two bungalows for those who need accessible homes, and 11 apartments.

The final 22 apartments, both one and two-bedroom, are expected to be completed by the spring.

A mix of 33 flats and 21 houses, visitors to the open event will find out how to register with Homefinder Somerset in a bid to secure a new home.

The majority of the houses have already been let, with the remaining five houses being available on Homefinder soon, the council said.

However, all apartments are still to be advertised, with a total of 17 one-bedroom and 15 two-bedroom homes available, plus one, fully-accessible two-bedroom ground floor apartment.

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Councillor Federica Smith-Roberts, executive lead member for communities, housing revenue account, culture and equalities and diversity, said: “The feedback we’ve had from tenants who have already moved in are so positive and they are impressed with the high standards achieved.

“Our open event last summer was really popular with people queuing to look around the site. It proves how desperately these homes are needed, not just in West Somerset, but across the county.

“These are the first Council homes in the west of the county for many years and it’s exciting that we are seeing such progress towards completion of the project.

“We believe the quality and low energy specification which we have used will make these wonderful homes for many years.”

Priority for the new properties will be given to those living, in or having connections to Minehead and the adjoining parishes of Minehead Without, Selworthy, Wootton Courtenay, Timberscombe and Dunster.

For the open event, visitors should enter the new development located at the end of Rainbow Way and park on the public road.

Construction at the site is being carried out by Classic Builders and the homes aim to meet 2050 zero-carbon standards, and representatives from the firm and Somerset Council will be on hand at the event to answer questions.