TEN new affordable homes are being built in Worcester – on the same patch of land earmarked for an office block seven years ago.

A housing association has secured permission from the city council’s planning committee to create a new residential complex in Fairmount Road, Brickfields.

Four two-bedroom homes and six one-bedroom apartments will be built on a patch of empty land, along with 14 parking spaces.

The complex is the work of West Midlands Housing Group, a social landlord, and will help reduce Worcester’s 2,300-strong waiting list.

It was unanimously voted through by the committee, which said the parking spaces would be particularly welcome. Councillor Alan Amos said: “This is to be welcomed, especially the fact that 100 per cent of the homes will be affordable.

“We desperately need that, and I’m also pleased about the parking being provided, it’s all good news. I had to get some double yellow lines put down on Fairmount Road because people were parking at the junction, it’s a real issue around there.”

Councillor Aubrey Tarbuck said: “I know of a development where there’s 17 properties, and after they got built because of a lack of parking spaces, we’d have 10 or 12 cars left around when previously there were none.”

Some members of the committee said they hoped the new residents will use public transport. Councillor Pat Agar said: “It’s right by a busy bus route and I would imagine a lot of people would use it.” Back in 2006 the city council granted permission for a 700 square-metre office on the same site, but it was never constructed, and the recession then hit.

A report for the committee said a “lack of objections” about the homes plan meant it should be approved. It also said because the area is surrounded by homes on all sides, extra residential units would be acceptable.