Forty new green-focused affordable homes which sparked strong opposition from villagers are to be built near Witney.

Affordable housing specialist, Living Space, and social housing provider, Stonewater, will build the houses off Cote Road in Aston.

Land specialist Terra secured planning permission for the homes in August, following an appeal.

The inspector cited the need for affordable housing in the area and the significant shortfall in the West Oxfordshire District Council's five-year housing land supply as clear evidence of the housing need to justify the development.

Terra, a sister company of Living Space, sold the site to Stonewater.

Construction work on site is expected to start next year.

Living Space Housing said meeting the local demand for affordable housing was the main objective of the 100 per cent affordable housing development.

It will include a variety of property types, ranging from two-bedroom bungalows to four-bedroom family homes, intending to cater to couples and families of different sizes.

Paul Breen, managing director at Living Space, said: "In designing this scheme, it was essential to ensure these homes would not only meet the proven lack of affordable housing in West Oxfordshire, but provide a complementary extension to the existing village here in Aston.

"The huge demand for these homes is also why we're pleased to get started on construction in the next few months.

"And I've no doubt this scheme will soon become another fantastic example of our enduring and successful relationship with Stonewater  whose team believe in providing quality homes, that communities can be proud of, just as much as we do."

Each house will have a secure rear garden, and 40 per cent of the total site area will be green space.

Living Space said it would maintain and enhance existing trees and establish planting corridors along the site boundaries to create a beneficial habitat for diverse species.

Marie Riordan, director of development (South & Central) at Stonewater, said: "We're pleased to be continuing our longstanding partnership with Living Space in the creation of this new scheme in Aston.

"We know there is an ever-increasing demand for safe, sustainable and affordable homes, particularly in rural locations like this, which allow local people to remain within their communities and enable them to thrive."

Over 200 letters of objection were received to the planning application for the scheme which was also opposed by local councillors over infrastructure concerns.

Windrush Against Sewage Pollution (WASP) also suggested a condition that no development should begin until there is a necessary upgrade to foul drainage by Thames Water.