Ten bungalows will be built for sale to help finance the remainder of the development of shared-ownership and general rent. This innovative project is due for completion in the spring of 2006.

Seen with Jon Cruddas are (left to right) Anglia Housing Group housing manager John Lefever; Barking & Dagenham Housing Association chairman, Cllr Bryan Osborne; Paul Howard Senior building surveyor Miller Mitchell; Higgins Construction contracts manager John Ashton; Anglia Housing Group development manager Marc Blackie and Higgins project manager Chris Drake at Digby Gardens.

Barking and Dagenham Housing Association will be one of the largest housing providers in the Borough with a board made up of local councillors, tenants and independent members who will be working with local authorities and other agencies to meet the need for affordable housing. It is part of Anglia Housing Group, one of the leading providers of affordable housing in the East region.

Jon Cruddas MP said: "I am particularly pleased with this development as the local authority has considered bungalows with private gardens and parking as a housing options as opposed to the traditional houses we see in the Borough. Digby Homes represents a development of local homes for local people."

Anglia Housing Group head of development Kelvin Kift said: "The development at Digby Gardens is unique. It will be the first time the Group has sold properties outright, as well as being one of the first new developments for the newly formed Barking and Dagenham Housing Association."