CONTRACTORS have started work on the site of an old school which is being partly demolished to make way for a retirement village.

Enterprise Retirement Living Ltd (ERL) was given planning permission in July 2017 to create the 100-property Mount Battenhall at the site of St Mary’s Covent School, Battenhall Avenue, which closed in 2014.

Work was expected to begin last summer, and Green city councillor Louis Stephen said he is “very pleased that things are moving forward now” after chasing the developers over the hold-up.

“The delay has caused some concerns to local residents because of the over growing bushes and concerns about security on the site,” said Cllr Stephen, who represents Battenhall.

While admitting to being sceptical in the past following many false dawns, the councillor said “it does seem like they are really starting now.”

“Residents have asked if they could perhaps look around the site, which I’ve asked the developers about, but they’ve said no, as they are at an advanced stage,” he continued. “Surveys appear to have been done and it sounds positive.”

“I was proactively given this information, I didn’t have to chase it,” he added.

Peter Martin, ERL development and commercial manager, said contractors have now started on site with “tree works, access creation, and hoardings being the first steps.”

“Important elements of the buildings are being protected prior to demolition of the twentieth century school buildings commencing soon,” he continued.

“We will start sales and marketing activity in the coming months and expect the first owners will move in sometime in late 2020.”

The developers intend to restore the 19th century section of grade II listed building, designed by city clothier William Spriggs, and create three new villas within the seven-acre site.