A total of 34 new social rent homes will soon be available to people living in the borough.

Waltham Forest Council has been handed the keys to 34 genuinely affordable apartments in a development in the Marlowe Road estate in Walthamstow.

The new block that the 34 affordable flats are in, Hopson House, is one of the first blocks to be completed as part of the Marlowe Road regeneration scheme.

When finished, the development is set to include a library, children’s play area, public plaza, 436 new homes and retail premises.

Cllr Clare Coghill, Waltham Forest Council leader, said: “These new family apartments are fantastic – really spacious, and built to a high quality. I am proud to be a part of a council that is delivering on the key pledges that local people should have a decent roof over their heads and that we will build as many social rent homes as we can across the borough.

“Having a good quality, affordable home opens up opportunities for families, and especially young people, to improve their life chances and succeed in Waltham Forest.

“I am delighted to accept these 34 social rent apartments and look forward to the rest becoming available as this five year building programme progresses.”

A total of 150 social rent homes will be built on the Marlowe Road site as well as 18 for shared ownership, which were previously handed over to the council in September this year.