WORK to develop new homes on the old Victoria Carpets Sports Ground in Kidderminster has restarted after being put on hold because of the coronavirus outbreak.

Builders returned to the 5.4-acre site off Spennells Valley Road this morning (Thursday), where affordable housing provide Stonewater is investing £8m to build 48 new homes.

The scheme was close to reaching the topping out stage for the first tranche of new houses when work was halted due to the covid-19 lockdown.

Now, the Solihull-based developers Living Space say employees and contractors will need to adhere to social distancing practices.

Kidderminster Shuttle: Matt Crucefix, from Stonewater, with Phil Morgan, of Living Space Housing, restarting the construction workMatt Crucefix, from Stonewater, with Phil Morgan, of Living Space Housing, restarting the construction work

Managing director Steve Davies said: “Construction work had been moving on at pace here prior to all work being paused when the Prime Minister announced the UK was on lockdown.

"Our team has worked extremely hard over the past month to understand the impact of covid-19 across our whole supply chain and to ensure all guidance regarding social distancing and hygiene can be adhered to.

"We are delighted that with Stonewater’s blessing, we can now recommence work and deliver these 48 much-needed affordable homes to the Kidderminster housing market."

Matt Crucefix, director of development at Stonewater, said: “We’re pleased that we’re able to continue work at the former Victoria Carpets Sports Ground.

"Our number one priority has always been, and will always be, the health and wellbeing of our customers and colleagues.

"We have endeavoured to, where safe and within government guidelines, to continue with developing the much-needed and affordable homes that will help to reduce the housing crisis in high demand areas like Kidderminster.”

Once completed, 60 per cent of the homes will be available for affordable rent, with the remainder available to buy through Stonewater’s shared ownership scheme.

The previously derelict sports ground site is located near to Kidderminster Golf Course and the new properties will be surrounded by public open space and a newly-created ecological area.

The site has been unused since since the merger and relocation of Kidderminster Victoria Cricket Club to Chester Road in 2003.

A proposal submitted by Victoria in 2009 to build a hotel, pub and bowling facility on the site never came to fruition.