Works to prepare a long-term vacant site, once home to the Brockworth Aerodrome and Gloucestershire Aircraft Company, for new homes is underway.

Around 30 years since outline permission to redevelop the site off Whittle Square in Brockworth was first granted to another developer, Bluebell Homes (part of the Edenstone Group) has now started building 166 homes on the land.

Along with new homes, the scheme will lead to around £2 million being invested in the local area. It will also see the creation of green open spaces and community facilities including bike hire, outdoor gym equipment, play areas and electric car charging points.

To be named Trinity Square, the first properties to be delivered will be affordable housing available via Gloucester City Homes, with Bluebell Homes set to release private sale homes in the autumn.

Edenstone Group operations director Chris Edge said: "Originally part of the Brockworth Aerodrome, Trinity Quarter has the promise of being a great new community, bringing a long-term vacant site back into good use, providing new homes alongside community facilities and investment in the wider neighbourhood.

"It will be the second Gloucestershire development to feature designs from our Bluebell Homes brand. The scheme will be integral to delivering Tewkesbury Borough Council's housing requirement and will provide a well-designed residential development at the heart of Brockworth.

"Trinity Quarter will cater for all market segments including providing affordable housing and private sale homes for first time buyers, families and downsizers. In line with local need, we're starting to build the affordable homes first, with 81 properties due to be handed over to registered social landlord Gloucester City Homes."

The 3.44 hectare site forms part of an allocation in the Tewkesbury Borough Local Plan to 2011, which provides for a mixed-use district centre incorporating a foodstore, a number of shop units, leisure uses, community uses, a hotel, and business and residential use, much of which has now been built.

There will also be three commercial units within the development, plus open space for residents to utilise.