A NEW housing scheme based in a historic Hereford building has officially been completed.

The site in Bath Street, at a former Victorian Working Boys Home, is an £8m development for Herefordshire based community housing group Connexus.

It retains the historical facade while transforming the old council offices into 74 new build apartments for both private and affordable rent.

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First built as Hereford Working Boys’ Home and Industrial school, and later used as a base for Herefordshire Council’s children’s services and registry offices, the red brick Victorian buildings were in need of renovation back in March 2019.

The development has faced many obstacles since then including the Covid pandemic, but it has finally reached completion and site contractor Harper and Sons are happy with the result.

Anthony Rees, group managing director of site contractor Harper and Sons, said: "We are proud that we have been able to bring much needed affordable housing to heart of the city on behalf of Connexus.

"We are pleased that we have been able to create contemporary, cleanly designed homes with attractive internal finishes, while retaining character from the previous land use by restoring the original red brick facade in keeping with the heritage of the site."

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A ceremony to open the site was attended by Herefordshire councillor Ange Tyler and Connexus board member and chair John Barker.

Coun Ange Tyler said: "I was delighted to be invited by Connexus to officially open the Bath Street development that comprises affordable homes for a range of occupiers.

"Everyone wants to be able to own their home, that sadly, this isn’t the case given the current climate.

"Herefordshire Council are committed to support and enable the delivery of genuinely affordable homes for the long-term future of our residents."