Mother of 11 thinking twice about moving into 'eco-mansion'

Published by Max Salsbury for 24dash.com in Housing and also in Communities, Finance

A mother caught in the middle of a tabloid benefits row is thinking twice about moving into a tax-payer funded 'eco-mansion'.

Heather Frost has become the focus of media attention after it was revealed that a six-bedroom house is to be built for her and her partner, 11 children and two grandchildren.

The family's new £400,000 home, which will be finished in July, is being built by Severn Vale Housing, but Mrs Frost said on ITV's Daybreak that she was having doubts about moving in.

She said: "I am 50/50 as to whether I am going to take it. Everyone knows where it is and I don't want my kids to be picked on."

It was also discovered that the family are keeping a pet horse in a field nearby their home, a revelation which has caused further anger in the media.

However, Ms Frost's 16-year-old daughter Angel, who also appeared on Daybreak, claimed that she paid for the animal's £200-per-month upkeep and that none of the costs came out of her mother's benefits.

Judith Tector, Severn Vale's operations director, said: “The six-bed property is in essence two three-bed homes which have been adapted together. It has been designed in such a way that it could be split back into two properties in the future if requirements change. All properties on this development will be allocated through nominations from the local authority, Tewkesbury Borough Council.”

Severn Vale has said that 14 homes are currently being developed on the site which include one four-bed bungalow, seven houses (one six-bed, four three-bed and two two-bed) and six one-bed flats. The homes will be available for affordable rent in May.