45 new affordable homes are expected to be built on the old magistrates' court site in Yate by 2021.

The news was confirmed by Sovereign Housing Association who have taken over the site in partnership with Homes England.

The housing association will invest nearly £2m into the scheme as well as over £2m of grant funding from Homes England to transform the site on Kennedy Way in the heart of Yate into 45 one, two and 3 bedroom apartments and family houses.

Sovereign Housing Association is working with South Gloucestershire Council to finalise the detailed design of the homes, work is set to begin early next year, with a view to completing the homes by summer 2021.

South Gloucestershire Council’s Cabinet Member for Planning, Transport and the Strategic Environment, Cllr Steve Reade, said: “We welcome the news that Sovereign will deliver a 100 per cent affordable housing scheme on the site of the former Northavon Magistrates Court in Yate.”

“These new homes will help contribute much needed affordable housing in South Gloucestershire and is well positioned for local facilities and transport services.”

South Gloucestershire Councillor John Gawn had previously expressed his concern for the proposals at the site, stating it would simply be an 'overdevelopment of a small area'.