TWO Rivers Housing Association has begun repaying all householders who paid its controversial grass cutting charges.

Having lost its court battle to prove it had a right to impose charges on homeowners, the association says it aims to refund all charges imposed over the last two years by December 14.

In a letter being sent to all eligible homeowners, Barry Thompson, director of resources writes: "Any previous invoices can now be disregarded and service charges paid by householders who are not specifically contracted to pay for grass cutting will be repaid."

Chief executive Garry King confirmed the operation: "Yes, we are issuing refunds to those freeholders who have paid. Those who have the newer conveyances are still required to pay."

Meanwhile, Two Rivers has announced plans to invest £25m in creating 306 homes over the next four years.

Of these 208 will be in the Forest of Dean, eight in Herefordshire, 10 in Stroud and 15 in Gloucester, with 65 not yet allocated.

Work has already begun on redeveloping post-war prefabricated 'Cornish' homes, creating 11 homes in Lydney, six in Woolaston and 40 in Coleford. Two further developments in Cinderford and Coleford are due to start in the New Year.

Garry King said: "There are hundreds of people on the housing waiting list and this announcement will provide them with some home of finding a new home. It will also be a much needed boost to the construction industry as these plans will involve Two Rivers investing around £25m over the next four years. According to figures from the Home Builders Federation this will create or sustain around 900 jobs."