KEY workers who have moved into a new low-cost homes scheme in Southampton have met the city's housing supremo, Councillor Paul Russell.

The new development in Dean Road, Bitterne, contains 11 apartments that have been made exclusively available for essential city workers including teachers, NHS staff, police officers and social workers.

The homes have been built under a partnership between Swaythling Housing Society and Southampton city Council. There are ten two-bedroom flats and one three-bedroom flat in the development.

All the homes at Deanfield Court have been sold. They were available to buy under shared ownership schemes. Those eligible are able to buy a home either by paying half rent/half mortgage or buying 75 per cent of the property and getting an interest-free loan from Swaythling Housing Association Society's Homebuy scheme to make up the difference.

This means that a 75 per cent share in a two-bedroomed flat under the Homebuy scheme can still be bought for £105,750.

Two-bedroom flats under the shared ownership scheme have been sold for £72,500 with a rental charge of £109 per month on the remaining share.