A £10 MILLION scheme to improve Swindon's social housing stock has been officially opened. Some 130 new homes have been built by housebuilder Barratt at Gable Close in Groundwell.

The mixture of flats and houses were built by the developer as a planning condition for its 500-home new development in Groundwell.

The houses will be rented by Westlea, Jephson and United housing associations to people from the council's housing need register.

They were opened yesterday by Swindon mayor Stan Pajak.

Nick Taylor, from Westlea, said: "They are a mixture of sizes in different styles to meet the needs of a variety of people.

"They are attractive homes designed to be complementary to the rest of the development.

"The tenants who attended the opening ceremony seemed to be very pleased with them.

"The three housing associations have worked with the local authority on a local lettings policy helping to create a mixed and sustainable community which will sit comfortably alongside neighbouring areas."