Council to build new homes on 'eyesore' sites

Councillors Jeremy Hilton and Luke Shervey at the site of the former Wessex House

A council has been awarded a grant of £688,484 to build new homes in a city centre.

Gloucester City Council will use the money to prepare the site of the former Wessex House behind Gloucester Railway Station for about 45 properties.

The site forms part of the authority's ambition to build 200 homes on "eyesore" sites to meet a housing shortage.

Councillor Luke Shervey said: "We are fully committed to tackling the shortage and providing good homes which we know are linked to so many other important factors including health and quality of life."

The grant comes from the government's brownfield land release fund.

The government is releasing £68 million to be shared across 54 councils, who can use the money to transform brownfield sites into new housing developments.

Alex McIntyre said he was "delighted" that Gloucester City Council is a recipient.

"It’s hopefully the first of many developments on brownfield sites across the city.

"I’m really keen to see us building more homes, affordable homes and homes on brownfield sites we have," he said.

Other sites to be targeted are the former Fortis Insurance building in Kingsholm, Spread Eagle Court and The Oxbode, the Local Democracy Reporting Service said.