Work has started on a multi-million pound regeneration project to bring nearly 100 much needed new and affordable homes to the Forest of Dean.

Partners have welcomed the start of work by Kier Partnership Homes at the former Ensor's abattoir site in Valley Road, Cinderford. This marks another landmark development for Kier, who were selected last year by the Forest of Dean District Council, Cinderford Town Council and the Homes and Communities Agency (HCA) to build 92 environmentally sustainable homes on the site.

The affordable housing and communal areas of the £11.4m scheme will be managed by Two Rivers Housing Association, with Kier responsible for the sale of remaining homes. The development will also benefit from a habitat for wildlife, a central public space and a loop road to make it easier to travel through the site.

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The project is part of the partners' wider plans to regenerate Cinderford by bringing new and affordable homes, jobs and improved educational facilities to the town. The scheme will start with the demolition of the abattoir building, which has moved to larger premises on the Valley Road Industrial park to allow for business growth and safeguarding of 130 jobs.

Greg Morgan, HCA Area Manager, said: "This is the next step on the road to regenerating the Forest of Dean by bringing new homes, jobs and prosperity to the area. Coming just after our plans to bring new jobs and investment to the Northern United and Forest Vale were approved, it’s great to see progress being made on this project too. I look forward to seeing residents moving into the homes when they are complete."

(CD)