A HOUSING association has invested £400,000 in providing affordable city centre properties.

Three Rivers Housing Group has added to its stock of new homes to let by building Green Court, a development of eight one and two bedroom flats, in Gilesgate, Durham.

With spacious rooms and a central location, it has attracted several inquiries from people looking to rent in the city.

Gerry Steinberg, MP for Durham City, welcomed the development.

He said: "Clearly, the buoyant property market in the city is a good sign for the local economy. However, we must also ensure that the housing needs of people on lower incomes are met.

"Promoting a healthy, mixed community is very important for Durham."

Three Rivers bought the land, formerly a church site, two years ago and last year, received a Government grant of £147,000 to build the flats.

It has already worked with Durham City Council to provide affordable housing at other sites in the area.

Clare Hepworth, chairman of Three Rivers, said: "We were pleased that the opportunity to work in partnership with Durham City Council came up again last year.

"This is a positive move towards tackling the shortage of good, affordable housing in the city."