Thousands of people on the council house waiting list in Breckland are set to get more of a say on where they live by the end of the year.Officials at the district council have begun the process of introducing a choice-based lettings scheme following the transfer of its social housing register to Anglia Revenues Partnership (ARP) last year.

Thousands of people on the council house waiting list in Breckland are set to get more of a say on where they live by the end of the year.

Officials at the district council have begun the process of introducing a choice-based lettings scheme following the transfer of its social housing register to Anglia Revenues Partnership (ARP) last year.

The initiative, which has already been adopted by authorities in Norwich, West Norfolk, and Forest Heath will allow residents on the waiting list to bid for advertised homes by phone, e-mail, text message, post, or in person at their local council or housing association office.

Darryl Smith, principal housing officer, told members of the policy development and review panel on Tuesday last week that the Breckland Council scheme was still in its infancy, but the project was scheduled to start by the end of December - two years ahead of government targets - after full consultation with councillors, housing providers, people on the register, and local communities. She added that there were currently 3,071 people on the waiting list for social housing in the district.