WINCHESTER City Council will make a bid for more than £25 million of government money to accelerate house-building within the district.

If successful, the council says it will use the money to help complete its mission to build 600 new homes by 2021.

The news comes after the government’s recent announcement that it will raise the housing revenue account borrowing total up to £500 million in areas of high affordability pressure for local authorities.

The government also said it will make £2 billion available for affordable and social housing from 2022.

Winchester City Council leader and portfolio holder for housing Cllr Caroline Horrill, pictured, said: “House prices in the Winchester district, like much of the south east, are well above the national average.

“If our bid is successful it will help us to continue our work delivering new homes that are affordable so local people can enjoy the benefits of living in the district.”

If successful, the council says it will bring forward a number of sites across the district which are currently in the pipeline.