WORK to build more than 10 homes on a vacant piece of land in the heart of Cirencester is set to begin this week.

The site of former sheltered housing building Akeman Court in Cricklade Street has been untouched since the original building was flattened last year after first being closed due to lack of demand in 2008.

News that Bromford Housing Association will start building 13 new properties on the land from Monday, April 7 has been welcomed by Cirencester Park councillor Joe Harris.

“This is great news. I’ve spoken a lot with residents living in Lewis Lane and I know that they have wanted a solution for a long time,” he said.

“It is such a wasted space at the moment. Any housing that is being built in the Cotswolds is good if it is going to local people.”

Although Bromford submitted plans for the new homes in 2010, full planning permission was not granted until March of last year.

The application sets out details for five three bedroom homes and one four bedroom home, as well as seven shared equity flats.

A design and access statement published by Bromford in 2010 said the new properties will be “well-designed, high quality and attractive places for people to live in”.

The statement also read: “The proposal is to provide affordable housing which enhances the area for the community which has a growing need for housing.”

Suzanne Shead, head of neighbourhood at Bromford, said the firm was “really excited” to be kicking off the construction.

“We’ll be on site from April 7 and we are looking forward to moving this development forward,” she said.

Bromford currently manages 4,643 properties across the Cotswold district with a large percentage of homes located in Cirencester.

For further information, visit www.bromford.co.uk.