RESIDENTS of a Hartlebury street are returning to their homes after their old flats were demolished.

Flats in Woodbury Close were knocked down and replaced by 28 new homes, with priority given to previous tenants.

Jenny Kimber, who lived in one of the now-flattened flats, said moving into her new home had been worth the wait.

“We’re really pleased with the new property – it is a huge improvement on the flats we were living in before,” she said.

“It’s quieter because of the new windows and cheaper to heat.”

The decision to knock down the flats was taken by Fortis Living, which has invested £4 million in the redevelopment programme.

Richard Grounds, director of growth and investment at Fortis Living, said: “It is great to see the finished development and the impact it has had on residents.

“I would like to thank everyone involved, especially [Hartlebury] parish council, Wychavon District Council and local individuals.”

Fortis Living worked in partnership with building firm Lovell to complete the development, which also included 10 homes being built off Worcester Road, Hartlebury.

Dave Gough, regional director of Lovell, said: “It’s always a pleasure to complete a development such as this, where we have been able to provide beautiful new homes for local residents.

“It is important that rural areas are not neglected when it comes to the provision of affordable housing so we are particularly pleased to be involved in this project.

“We have enjoyed working with Fortis Living once again.”

The completion of the development was marked with a tree-planting ceremony.