New council bosses have pledged to build up to 200 environmentally-friendly council homes each year.

It comes as Labour took control of Dover District Council last month, having won 17 seats at the local election.

Now, new leader Cllr Kevin Mills, and Cllr Pam Brivio, cabinet member for social housing, have made the promise to provide more affordable homes during the cost-of-living crisis.

They will be built with sustainability in mind and will include green technology to increase energy efficiency and contribute to the council’s net zero carbon target.

Cllr Brivio said: “We are planning to deliver affordable homes for local families with a focus on green technology to increase energy efficiency and bring down the cost of bills.

“It is important that we are providing a high standard of homes for our residents at rent they can afford.

“We know how hard it can be to find good, affordable homes and it is crucial that we as a council are helping to make it easier for people who face the risk of either having nowhere to live or paying excessive rent.”

Since 2021, almost 117 affordable homes have been built by the council.

This includes homes for social rent, interim accommodation and shared ownership.

In addition, tenants recently moved onto newly built council homes on Napchester Road.

The 26 homes, constructed by Jenner on behalf of the council, form part of the Whitfield Urban Expansion and are for social rent for those on the housing waiting list.

The properties are a mix of two, three and four-bed homes, and one-bed flats.

Ella Brocklebank, head of communications and business development at Jenner, said: “It is always a pleasure to work with the team at Dover District Council as such a proactive, collaborative client who adopt a pragmatic approach to cost-effective delivery, yet with sustainable thinking at heart and certainly never compromising on quality.

“Their housing ambition is bold and Jenner is delighted to have played an integral part in their journey to deliver essential, affordable new homes to the district.”

In total, 6350 homes are planned to be built in Whitfield, a suburb of Dover, by 2040.