The first council houses will be built in Epping Forest for 30 years after a planning application was approved.

Nine flats will be erected on a brownfield site in Harveyfields, Waltham Abbey, in Spring next year.

The development will include four one-bedroom flats and five two-bedroom flats.

There will be 18 car parking spaces created.

The properties will be allocated to people on the council's housing waiting list and the authority is planning to build 120 more homes in the next six years.

Four further sites on the Roundhills estate in Waltham Abbey, currently housing garages, are being considered for the new homes.

Dave Stallan, Housing Portfolio Holder said: “This is a hugely significant moment for Epping Forest District Council and something I am immensely proud to be part of.

“It is a modest start but we will also continue to work with our housing association partners and encourage affordable housing as part of any private sector planning applications we receive.”