Villagers have reacted with anger after it emerged refugees are to be housed on a posh newbuild estate in their quaint hamlet where properties fetch over £700,000. 

Residents living in rural Langtoft, Lincs., say there is 'an outcry' over the plans to house families fleeing war-torn countries on the £1.8 million estate. 

They say local people who have been waiting for accommodation in the area should be given priority or others struggling to get on the housing ladder.

The council has bought 12 houses in the picturesque village, where property prices average £400,000, to provide housing for Afghanistan and Ukrainian refugees.

The dozen homes are the first of 21 earmarked for the scheme and are a mix of two and three-bedroom new-build houses and two-bedroom bungalows.

Housing developer Ashwood Homes boasts the 'high-specification homes' are in a 'beautiful rural location' and are listed for sale for between £600,000-£720,000. 

Local resident Liz Jarman, 74, said people in Langtoft have 'not been given one chance' to buy a house on the development, which has 41 homes in total.

Local lady, Jiz Jarman, has voiced her frustration. Image credit: SWNS.

Although she believes it's 'wonderful' the government is housing refugees and has 'no objections to that' she is angry that 'little Langtoft' has been chosen for half of the district's allocation.

She said: "We are just being totally disregarded.

"It's not that I'm against refugees - I welcome them - but how can the council do that?

"I'm totally disgusted by the disregard - they're treating us like we are completely stupid.

"They are more than welcome as they are desperate for homes but so are our people living in crumby bedsits, hotels and hostels.

"Where is the justice?

"This is not because we're anti refugees, it's the way it's been done. 

"This is about council secrecy and transparency. The meetings to discuss it were held in secret. 

"We've got so many of our citizens who are struggling, and ex-servicemen who would give anything to get a home. 

"When this was put forward, it clearly stated the refugees would be best placed in large towns around here like Grantham and Market Deeping. 

"It just came out of the blue, we knew nothing of it." 

Liz says she believes her village is poorly suited to home refugees as there is "no infrastructure." 

She added: "We want this done in their best interests, these people deserved to be helped and supported, but this is not the best way to do that. 

"My stepfather is Ukrainian, I know how hard working they are."

Another resident, who did not wish to be named, said: "We've got people struggling to get on the housing ladder and yet they find room for refugees.

"They should be going to bigger towns and cities where there's a bigger housing stock."

However, other locals disagreed and welcomes the refugees. Liam Dodds, 44, added: "They have got to go somewhere and I for one would welcome them.

"Some of these people have gone through suffering you couldn't imagine so I think we need to put things into perspective and help where we can.

"They are probably desperate families looking to catch a break, this is the least we can do for them."

South Kesteven District Council said the homes will be given to those who have arrived legally in the country before being used by families on the council's housing register.

Refugees with be houses in a new-build development just outside of Stamford. Image credit: SWNS.

Cabinet member for housing and planning, Councillor Phil Dilks said: "The Government funding had specific timelines for their process. 

"Options were explored across the district and the opportunity to purchase 12 suitable houses in Langtoft was identified as the most appropriate way to meet the urgent demands placed around sourcing accommodation.

"The 12 units were already identified for social housing as per the planning permission; SKDC chose to pursue these under best value for money.

"There are five families in Langtoft on the housing register, all in the lower needs band of four or five and all with no emergency housing need.

"The original report was shared and fully supported at full council, with specifics on location shared at the earliest appropriate time in line with procedure for this or any other acquisition."

Article by George Mathias Maddie Baillie