HOUSING chiefs have taken the wraps off the contractors charged with delivering a £3.5million development in the heart of Tolladine.
Fortis Living – part of Platform Housing Group – has appointed Midlands based construction firm Harper Group to begin work on building 25 new homes and three shops on Rose Avenue.
The new homes will feature seven houses, two bungalows and 16 apartments with 20 of the homes available for rent.
A trio of replacement shops will form part of the development while the remaining five properties will shared ownership houses.
The £3.5million development is being supported by grant funding from Homes England and the tie-up is the latest between Fortis Living and Harper Group. The scheme, which was awarded planning permission by Worcester City Council in June, is due to be completed in the winter of 2021 with building work expected to start in the new year.
Marc Howard, regional development manager at Platform Housing Group said: “We are investing in one of the city’s most deprived neighbourhoods where the demand for shops is decreasing and the need for new homes is increasing; this scheme will meet the needs of the local area and revive this important gateway into the Tolladine estate.
The new homes will replace eight shops and upper residential units plus a small park; Fortis Living is also providing funding to Hollymount School to develop a publically accessible play area as part of the expansion and improvement works.
Antony Rees, group managing director of J. Harper and Sons, said: “It is fantastic news J. Harper and Sons have been appointed to carry out the development of Rose Avenue in Worcester and we are delighted to be working with Platform Housing Group.
