Partners involved in the £14 million redevelopment of Friary Outer car park in Lichfield gathered recently to celebrate the start of building work on the site.

The car park closed at the end of March to make way for the first phase of construction, which will create a multi-deck car park, public toilets and, through investment from the Homes and Communities Agency (HCA), 54 supported housing apartments for older people and six shared ownership homes.

To mark the occasion of work starting, Simon Burton, Regional Managing Director for Miller Construction, which is developing the site, presented Councillor Mike Wilcox, Leader of Lichfield District Council, and Nick Cummins, Executive Director at Bromford, with specially engraved spades.

The group that joined the celebration was made up of representatives from: S Harrison - developers of the scheme; Lichfield District Council - landowners of the site who will also own and operate the car park and public toilets; Bromford - whiich will own and manage the supported apartments and market the affordable homes element of the scheme; Miller Construction - the main contractor for the first phase of the development; the HCA - which is contributing £2.4 million to the housing element of the scheme; and Chetwoods Architects.

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They were also joined by Sandford Gate residents, Freda Lees, Floss Ors, and Yvonne Parkhouse, who will be moving into the supported housing once it is complete.

Simon Burton, Regional Managing Director for Miller Construction, said: "We were delighted to present Councillor Wilcox and Nick Cummings with ceremonial spades to mark the commencement of works on site. We are looking forward to working with Lichfield District Council and Bromford in the coming months and continuing our partnership with S Harrison.

"I am confident, that upon completion, the residents of Lichfield and visitors to the area, will benefit from the scheme for many years to come."

The second phase of the scheme is set to include a hotel and restaurant, which will take place later in the building programme.

While work progresses on site, Miller Construction will be operating out of a small temporary compound on Festival Gardens. This will remain in place while the development is underway. The area it covers will be re-landscaped and new trees planted after it is complete.

(CD/GK)