WORCESTERSHIRE'S largest social housing landlord has announced an increase in housing development in the past year.

Fortis Living, which provides homes throughout Worcestershire, built 733 new homes during that period - an increase of 208 from the previous year.

Fortis also sold a record number of shared ownership properties 132, an increase of 32 from 2016/17.

Examples of recent developments include Pickersleigh Grove in Malvern and Bower Hill in Droitwich.

The Pickersleigh Grove project, which is due for completion towards the end of the 2020 – will deliver 92 new affordable homes, replacing the previous 42 post-war homes which were demolished in 2016.

The multi million pound development will comprise a mix of 60, two, three and four bed houses for shared ownership sale as well as a further eight, two and three bed houses and 24 one-bedroom flats for affordable rent.

The scheme’s delivery is being supported by grant funding from the government agency, Homes England.

Simon Vick, assistant director of growth and development at Fortis Living, said: “During the last few years, our house building programme has been phenomenally successful and we have now achieved a record year in terms of delivery.

"Our board has set us ambitious targets for housing growth and our staff have responded brilliantly to this challenge, they have been relentless in their pursuit of building and acquiring high quality, affordable new homes for rent and shared ownership in the local area.

"Our housing programme is one of the biggest in the West Midlands and is testimony to our ongoing desire and commitment to provide more affordable housing for local people.

"We look forward to continued success and growth in serving our communities.”