HACKNEY Council has pledged to pump more than �16million into the Woodberry Down regeneration programme over the next four years.

The multimillion pound package will go towards building affordable housing, with Berkeley Homes also contributing more than �30million towards the ambitious project.

As part of the 20-year regeneration project the council, working with Berkeley Homes and Genesis Housing Group, aim to build more than 4,600 social and private homes, a community centre, a health centre, an academy and retail space.

Around 1,000 homes are currently being built, with the first new homes ready to be rented by spring this year.

Deputy Mayor of Hackney, Cllr Karen Alcock, said: “Hackney Council made a pledge to residents that despite the economic climate we would find new and innovative methods with partners to provide housing at Woodberry Down. The Council’s own investment demonstrates our ongoing commitment to one of the largest regeneration programmes in the capital.”