A NEW low-cost housing development for East Lancashire families has been opened by Blackburn MP Jack Straw.

The 13 four-bedroom houses at Sycamore Close, Sycamore Road, Blackburn, have been developed by the North British Housing Association.

The Association hopes to follow the success of its last scheme, the What House award-winning Hamara Place.

The cost of the £1.03 million scheme has been subsidised by £464,000 from Blackburn City Challenge, with the remainder being private finance raised by North British. Mr Straw said: "The scheme represents what can be achieved when agencies work together. The scheme has been a partnership involving the community, the borough, City Challenge and the Association in producing well built, well designed homes."

Part of the opening ceremony involved the shadow home secretary presenting cheques from North British to Cedar Infants and Hawthorn County Junior schools to signify the development's link to the local community.

The infants school also received a dolls house.

The properties are for sale on a shared ownership basis, offering local people a first step on the home ownership ladder.

"Shared ownership is ideal for people who would like to own their home but can't afford to purchase outright," said Steve Barker, North British Development Officer.

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