MELIN Homes has started the demolition of two former school sites in Torfaen.

The former Crownbridge School site in Sebastopol and Hillside School site in Blaenavon are to be new developments for affordable homes.

The Crownbridge site will see eight flats and 14 houses being built and the Hillside site will see 54 homes being built.

Both schemes will include properties for rent and low cost home ownership.

An event was held to mark the start of the work on site with executive member for housing at Torfaen council, Cllr Gwyneira Clark, and a member of the Crownbridge School Council joining the assistant director of development at Melin, John Millard, for a tour of the site and to view the first demolition taking place.

Mr Millard said: “We are really pleased that work has started at the two former school sites. Both are key developments for us in Torfaen and it’s another example of our commitment to bringing affordable homes to the Borough.”

Cllr Clark added: “Affordable housing is a key priority of this council and I was delighted to see work begin on close to 70 new homes at the two sites today.

"These sites are especially important as they are former school sites that have disposed of by the Local Authority to increase the amount of affordable housing available to residents of Torfaen.”