Work has started on the second phase of the regeneration of the Forches Estate in North Devon as the first tenants move into their new homes.

The next phase of the project is worth more than £7.5 million and will deliver 80 additional new homes on the estate and improved open space.

This latest work leads on from the building of 67 new homes on the Forches, which started the transformation of the area by replacing dated pre-cast reinforced concrete houses and providing job and training opportunities for local people. The £14m scheme, which is being supported with investment of £3.7m by the Homes and Communities Agency (HCA), will deliver a total of 147 new homes for the estate by the end of next year.

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This work is happening as improvements are carried out to the new access route which links Willshere Road and Barton Road and bus only routes managed by rising traffic bollards are provided on Green Bank Road and Gould Road. The new road will be used by construction traffic for up to the next 18 months to relieve the estate of further disruption.

Martyn Gimber, NDH Chief Executive, said: "I am very proud of the changes we are able to make to the estate with the support of our partners such as the HCA and the Lottery Fund. We are not only investing in new homes but in the future of those living in the local community."

(CD)