Work has started to create brand new homes at Severn Vale Housing's Parklands development in Churchdown.

Parklands is a retirement living scheme, which is currently home to 22 people.

Malvern-based contractor Speller Metcalfe will begin work on site in November. There will be a total of 13 new units - five bungalows, six one-bedroom flats and a conversion into two flats of the old caretaker house.

The work is expected to take 48 weeks to and will involve adding a new access road. Up to 16 new residents could be living at Parklands when the project is completed.

Chris Knibbs, Severn Vale development manager, said: "We have been working on this project for over a year now and it is great to have got it through the planning process and to have Speller Metcalfe on board. I am looking forward to watching the project come to fruition."

Rob Ackerman, pre-construction manager for Speller Metcalfe, said: "We are excited to be celebrating the start of this fantastic development which will enhance and improve the accommodation for existing residents, as well as provide new homes within the community.

"This is a complex project which will require careful co-ordination and management to keep disruptions to a minimum. We will ensure that residents and staff are kept well-informed throughout the development."