AN under-used block of garages in Berkeley has been transformed into four new council homes by Stroud District Council.

The two bedroom homes in Fishers Road were completed by construction company WRW in April, and tenants moved in five days later.

Councillors Mattie Ross and Gordon Craig joined the chair of Berkeley town council Liz Ashton to see how one new Fishers Road family, Andy and Narcisa Corodan and their four month old son Lucas were settling in.

“When we looked around the property for the first time it was love at first sight,” said Mr Corodan.

“Previously we lived in one room with a shared bathroom, so we are really pleased to have our own home now.”

Mattie Ross, the chair of the council’s housing committee said: “This scheme demonstrates how the council is being creative with its land.

“I am delighted that we have added four high quality homes to our existing council stock, and I wish Andy and Narcisa much happiness here.”

The Fishers Road site is one of several where Stroud District Council is building new council homes.

Leonard Stanley and the Top of Town sites are part-finished, and work is about to start on the site of a former car park in Chapel Street, Cam.

Stroud District Council is the county’s largest provider of social housing, and the only local authority in Gloucestershire to still own and manage council houses, with the others having transferred them into other social housing organisations.

This year the council’s building programme will see new homes completed in the Top of Town area in Stroud, Mankley Road in Leonard Stanley, Hillside in Coaley and The Corriett in Cam.