BULLdozers have been working at Pylers Way in Lydney to demolish the last two empty pre-fabricated 'Cornish' homes.

Two Rivers Housing inherited the post-war concrete properties when it took on the housing stock from the district council 10 years ago.

Since then, the not-for-profit housing association has been on a mission to refurbish and replace the 1950s homes, which are poorly insulated and prone to structural defects, in favour of modern and energy-efficient homes.

The £1 million scheme to demolish 40 of the properties has been rolled out across the Forest and will be replaced with 80 homes – most of which benefit from solar panels and rainwater harvesting systems.

"Concrete technology was still developing when these homes were built in the 1950s and, although they have lasted well, there were faults in their construction which meant they had to be replaced," explained Two Rivers' head of maintenance, Andrew Treweek.

"We phased the replacement programme and worked with tenants to find them temporary accommodation while the building work was carried out. Some tenants decided to extend the stay in their temporary home and make it permanent, but most chose to move to the new energy-efficient home that replaced their draughty old concrete house.

"The two properties in Pylers Way are the last of our Cornish homes and, when the project is complete, Two Rivers will have provided two new homes for every one of the old houses, helping to plug the local housing shortfall. It is particularly fitting that we should complete this work in our 10th anniversary year."

There will be six, two and three bedroom homes available at an affordable rent and another three homes are being offered to people wishing to take advantage of shared ownership – the part-buy, part-rent initiative that helps them take their first step towards buying their own home outright.

Head of development, Rosemary Hooper, explained the Two Rivers ethos was centred on improving people's lives and developing communities. "The scheme will help to address the need for affordable housing in the area with rents which are 20 per cent cheaper than market rent, and shared ownership provides a real opportunity for local people to get a foot on the housing ladder.

"The homes at Pylers Way have been designed to fit in with the local architectural style, and will be landscaped to protect the privacy of existing residents – a definite improvement on the old garages and the two Cornish houses they're replacing."

The development is expected to complete in the spring. Anyone interested in either the shared ownership or affordable rent homes can contact Two Rivers on 0800 316 0897.