Work is underway on a multi-million-pound affordable housing scheme in the North Yorkshire market town of Malton.

Lindum, in partnership with Broadacres Housing Association and Homes England, is building 56 new homes.

The £7.8 million development is taking place on a 3.4-hectare site off Rainbow Lane, between Dickens Lane and the Rainbow Equine Hospital.

It is scheduled for completion at the end of 2019, providing a mixture of one, two and three-bedroom houses and two-bedroom bungalows.

All the homes will be allocated to people with a connection to Ryedale. They will be for affordable rent or sale through shared ownership.

Broadacres Chief Executive, Gail Teasdale and Chairman, Colin Wilkie recently visited the site to see the groundwork which is currently underway.

They said: “Working with our established partners Lindum and Homes England we are looking forward to providing 56 affordable homes for local people.

“For a number of reasons, Malton has become one of the most popular places to live in North Yorkshire, which is great for the town and the local economy, but this can often be at the expense of those who grew up or work in the area, who can’t afford to buy or rent privately.

“All of our homes will be allocated to people with a connection to the district of Ryedale, ensuring market towns like this remain sustainable for future generations.

“This is a significant development for Broadacres as we begin to fulfil our new mission of creating great homes in great places and providing great customer experiences.”

Lindum York Managing Director Jonathan Sizer said: “As a Yorkshire-based construction company it is particularly pleasing to be working within our own community, providing much-needed, good quality affordable homes.

“Broadacres is a well-established and valued client and this development comes on the back of a number of other successful housing projects across the district.

“We look forward to seeing the project come to fruition and welcoming the new residents in to their homes.”

Homes England, the national housing and regeneration agency for England, is providing grant funding of £2 million towards the scheme

Karen Anderson from Homes England said “It is great to see this development on site making homes happen in a popular area and providing affordable homes in an area of high house prices.  Homes England is proud to work with Broadacres, tackling housing challenges and making a difference in North Yorkshire.  I am looking forward to seeing people move into their new homes”.