Carrick District Council and the Devon and Cornwall Housing Association have just bought eight acres of the land to build 150 houses.

Half of these will be affordable homes to rent or buy, but it will be at least a year before building work begins.

The Devon and Cornwall Housing Association is aiming to apply for planning permission next year.

The number of homes in the city centre has been falling because many of the shop flats have been turned into business units.

Prices have also risen dramatically, with the average house costing nearly �205,000.