WORK has started on 51 flats and townhouses on the site of the old Brooklyn Ford garage in Worcester.

The planned development in Bath Road will border the canal on both sides of the Mill Street bridge, following the bulldozing of the garage.

The flats are being built by Neil Grinnall Homes, which is already building 21 apartments on Diglis Road, on the old Hewin Works site fronting the canal. All 21 apartments on the Hewin works site, due for completion in June next year, have already been sold.

"Eventually I'd like to develop the whole canal," said Neil Grinnall, chairman.

"I'm planning to build amazing contemporary apartments on this latest site where the Brooklyn Ford garage used to be. Currently, there's no other canal-side development. "

Success

The Bath Road apartments are due for completion in October, next year.

Half are due to be released through Knight Frank, Worcester, on November 14, this year, following the success of the Diglis Road development.

"We have already got people queuing up to buy these as well," continued Mr Grinnall.

"It's very early days yet but because some people were disappointed they didn't get one in the Diglis Road development release, we're releasing half to satisfy the huge interest.

"We are expecting even more success as a result of the interest in the first phase of canal-side development."

He said the latest development also helped to relieve the pressure for affordable housing in the city centre as 10 of the units were social housing units.

The interior layouts of the apartments, which will have glass walls and other contemporary features, are being overseen by John Hunt Associates.

"We take a great deal of pride in creating modern, architecturally-pleasing properties," said Mr Grinnall.

"John Hunt Associates, who are internationally-renowned interior designers, are making sure door positions are exactly correct and layouts work ergonomically and that kitchen choices, bathroom furniture and even door handles suit the overall design."

Neil Grinnall Homes' four planned developments in the city - including the redevelopment of the former Kay's building, in The Tything, - are set to generate £38m in sales for the company in the next two years.