A proposal for the first council-built houses in 30 years has been approved.

A total of 23 properties will be created on four Brownfield sites in Waltham Abbey, with the work expected to begin work by June.

The proposals include four one-bedroom and five two-bedroom flats built in Harveyfields.

A further 14 houses, comprising a mixture of two and three-bedroom properties and one-bed duplex houses, will be built on three sites in Roundhills, including the former Red Cross Hall site.

A spokesman for Epping Forest District Council said: “The demand for affordable housing in this district continues to increase and the new properties will be let to families on the council’s housing register.

“The sites predominantly have difficult-to-let garages on them.

“Residents who currently use the garages are being offered alternative arrangements.”

The authority plans to build 120 new homes over the next six years at a cost of £4million.

East Thames Housing Group has been appointed development agent and will work in partnership with Pellings, a firm of architects with experience of developing housing in small areas, such as garage sites.