Work has officially started on a £20million project to create 131 new homes.

The project will see the construction of 96 affordable houses, five bungalows and 30 sheltered apartments in Grange Park in Blackpool.

The new homes will be partially funded by a grant from Homes England, with funding from the European Regional Development Fund supporting the installation of air source heat pumps in 30 of the homes and a new cycle path.

Lancashire firm, RP Tyson Construction has been appointed as the principal contractor for the development and are now on site carrying out enabling works.

The development in spilt across two sites – Chepstow Road and Dinmore Avenue.

The site on Dinmore Avenue behind the @thegrange community facility has now been fenced off and the Tyson team has started the process of clearing the area ready for construction to begin.

Deputy Leader of Blackpool Council and Cabinet Member for Housing, Cllr Ivan Taylor, said: “I am delighted that work has started on this site.

"It has been our aspiration for some time to create much-needed new homes on Grange Park and it is a really testament to everyone involved that they’ve managed to progress the scheme to this point despite all the challenges the pandemic has brought.

“The Tyson team has done a fantastic job building the new homes Troutbeck Crescent at Mereside.

"By employing a local firm we see real benefits to the local community, the vast majority of staff working on the site will live on the Fylde Coast.”

Managing Director, RP Tyson Construction, Jeremy Whittle, said: “As a locally based contractor we are absolutely delighted to have been selected by the council to deliver this significant housing development in, we have a very strong locally based supply chain and will look to engage with it on this development as we have done on Troutbeck Crescent.”

The first properties are expected to be handed over in 2023.

To apply for any social housing properties in Blackpool visit www.myhomechoicefyldecoast.co.uk