Almost 200 homes have been built for older people as part of a major regeneration project.

Havering Council, as part of a joint venture with housing contractor Wates, has built 175 homes in a Hornchurch retirement community village.

These are for people over 55 in Park Rise at the former Solar, Serena and Sunrise Courts Estate.

The Park Rise development is the second to be completed in the 12 Estates programme, a £1.2 billion venture launched by the previous Conservative administration in 2018 to build 3,900 homes on council-owned land.

Last February the Recorder reported that half of the regeneration schemes in the 12 Estates scheme were being reviewed due to a "sharp rise" in costs.

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The first 12 Estates project to finish was around 200 homes at New Green in Rainham last summer.

The council announced the completion of the Park Rise scheme on Wednesday (January 17).

The homes are a mix of council-rented and shared-ownership properties, said to include shared indoor and outdoor spaces.

Some of the homes will be up for sale, the council added.