A council leader has opened a new housing development aimed at helping local people get a step on the property ladder.

Les Mead, Chairman of Three Rivers District Council, officially unveiled the show home of a development of 11 houses which will be built on the historic site of a Second World War aerodrome.

The two and three bedroom homes will be built on the site of the former Leavesden Aerodrome.

In tribute to the site’s aeronautical and movie history, the development has been called Limelight and the house types named Lancaster and Dehavilland, paying homage to former movie stars and types of aircraft.

The homes are being built by affordable housing provider Home Group. Councillor Les Mead and Sophia Arain, Home Group Head of Sales and Marketing, performed a ribbon cutting ceremony to unveil the show home.

Councillor Les Mead said: "I very much welcome the building of affordable new homes in Three Rivers. The site here at Leavesden has had such a colourful history over the years, and I applaud the provision of new affordable homes to this vibrant and dynamic community."

Shared ownership homes allow those who can’t secure a mortgage for the full value of a home to part buy part rent and over time work towards 100 per cent ownership. The homes will only be available to people who live or work within the Three Rivers district, have a household income of under £60,000 and do not currently own a home.

Sophia Arain, Head of Sales and Marketing at Home Group said: "We’re delighted Councillor Les Mead has launched the new homes at Limelight. We’re building them to provide homes for local people who want to get a step on the property ladder.

"The six two bedroom and five three bedroom homes will ensure a good mix of couples to growing families. This development offers affordable, contemporary new homes set in a thriving new community."