WORK is about to start on a £19 million retirement village project on Hereford's Roman Road.

The site in Holmer will provide 80 one and two-bedroom apartments for affordable rent, developers Vistry Partnerships and Platform Housing Group said.

Platform, who run a similar development at Harling Court in Ledbury, will also provide onsite care and support services plus various communal facilities for the residents.

Darren Beale, regional managing director at Vistry Partnerships West Midlands said: “We have extensive experience designing and constructing extra care schemes and we’re very pleased to be working in partnership again with Platform Housing.

"As one of the country’s leading regeneration specialists we recognise the need to support our partners to build homes across all tenures, particularly homes and care services for older people.”

Hereford Times: An artist's impression of the development. Picture: Platform Housing GroupAn artist's impression of the development. Picture: Platform Housing Group

Steve Eaves, director of regeneration at Platform Housing said: “This is a fantastic partnership that will provide much needed older persons housing in a very popular and strategically important area for our partners at Herefordshire Council. We are also very much looking forward to working with Vistry again. They have a great rack record of successfully delivering large schemes with Platform.“

Councillor Ange Tyler, Herefordshire Council cabinet member for housing, regulatory services, and community safety, said: “Providing affordable housing is a key issue for Local Authorities across Britain, and Herefordshire is no different. One of our key priorities is to deliver safe, comfortable and affordable housing, particularly for vulnerable people. We are therefore delighted to be working in partnership with Vistry Partnerships and Platform Housing Group on this project, and look forward to the new retirement village taking shape.”

Some £19 million is being spent on the project which is anticipated to begin in the spring.