CORNWALL Council has welcomed last week's announcement by John Healey, Housing Minister at the Department for Communities, that Corn­wall's expression of interest to the government's Affordable Housing Private finance initiative (PFI) fund has been approved.

The news means that the council will now progress to the next step of putting in a full bid for funding.

Cornwall Councillor Mark Kaczmarek, cabinet member for housing commented: "We are pleased that the government has recognised the extreme pressure on affordable housing in Cornwall. We need to look at all opportunities that this may provide and the best solution for Cornwall and our own housing stock."

Cornwall's bid is for funding for a total of almost 900 new homes across all tenures and serving all sections of the community. The project will deliver over 425 new affordable homes for rent and shared ownership. In addition the scheme will deliver in excess of 200 affordable extra care units for rent and shared ownership, catering for older

people by providing an environment that enables individuals to maintain or regain as much independence as possible, whilst ensuring any care needs are on hand.

All of the new units will be built on council owned land.