NEW life has been injected into previously derelict land in the heart of Cirencester with the completion of seven contemporary, two-bedroom apartments.

Following the closure of a sheltered housing scheme on the site, the land stood empty for some time while Bromford explored a number of different plans for the redevelopment of the site with the local planning department.

Akeman Court has been built in Cotswold stone to blend in with the existing landscape.

Joe Harris, mayor of Cirencester welcomed the development.

He said that residents had wanted a solution to the area for a long time, and any housing built in the Cotswolds is good if it is going to local people.

The new homes will only be available for existing residents of Cirencester who can benefit from Bromford’s ‘Help to Buy’ 20 per cent equity loan, meaning a deposit of five per cent or £8,212 is required.

Alan Bradley of Bromford Homes said: “Akeman Court provides affordable quality for local people. Cirencester is a very desirable area with its thriving market town and within a 30-minute commute of Cheltenham, Gloucester, Bristol, Swindon, Oxford and Bath to name a few.

"It is the largest town in the Cotswolds with a rich history – interestingly, we discovered an ancient tip when we began work which we have been careful to preserve.”

The new apartments have so far proved quite popular with 50% of Akeman Court now reserved.