by Chris Holland Business Reporter Work has started on the £2.7 million first phase of a redevelopment project in Keighley for Incommunities, the area’s biggest social housing landlord.

Residents have been consulted about the development and local schoolchildren are designing a garden for the show home.

Yorkshire-based building contractor Strategic Team Group is building 27 new homes on the Woodhouse estate. As part of the development deal, the firm will take ownership of eight of the new homes, which will then be sold through its associated company, 21C Properties Ltd, which will help fund the scheme.

The 27 new homes will consist of 18 three-bedroom and eight two-bedroom houses and one two-bedroom bungalow.

The new homes for Incommunities are part of the housing group’s plans to regenerate the whole estate, which will eventually involve construction of about 130 properties.

The phase one redevelopment work, supported by the Homes and Communities Agency, is due for completion in August and will create work experience opportunities for local people.

Charles Tweed, Strategic Team Group’s business development director, said: “We are delighted to be working with Incommunities on yet another project to create new homes for the region.

“The new initiative, which will see us take ownership of some of the homes, marks a change in direction for the business and one we hope to use as a model to support registered social landlords for the future.”

Ken Nicholson, director of Incommunities’ development and regeneration, said: “We are delighted to see construction underway on the first part of the redevelopment of the estate. This follows local consultations with residents into the plans.

“We are working closely with Strategic Team Group to deliver a high-quality development which will provide homes for rent for local people and also homes for sale.

“Shortly demolition will take place to clear the remaining empty properties on the central part of the estate and pave the way for the construction of more affordable homes.”