NEW energy efficient flats in Micheldever have been delayed by two months over a lack of materials.

Winchester City Council is building six flats at Southbrook Cottages to a Passivhaus Plus standard.

This means they generate around 78 per cent less carbon than an average flat. 

However, the city council's cabinet committee on housing heard, on Tuesday, November 14, that the flats' completion has been delayed by two months. 

READ MORE: Winchester City Council cuts ribbon on North Whiteley homes

They were due to be finished in January, but city council officer Andrew Palmer said it has been pushed back to March. He said: “There has been a lack of materials and they are difficult to get hold of at the moment.”

Mr Palmer updated the committee on other housing projects across the district. These include the recently completed 54 homes in North Whiteley. Also, Mr Palmer said that the 73 flats at Winnall will start to be let in the new year.

The city council's new homes programme aims to be 1,000 homes built by 2030/31. A total of 274 will be finished by the end of this financial year. 

Cllr Chris Westwood, cabinet member for housing, said: “We are adding brilliant new homes to our current housing stock. I commend the work done.”