WORK has started on building new homes on the site of a former Dorset brewery.

Developer Drew Smith has teamed up with housing provider Stonewater to build 21 new homes in Blandford.

The development, the first phase of a 180-home scheme, is on the site of the former Hall & Woodhouse brewery, in Bournemouth Road. This first phase includes the affordable homes part of the scheme.

Leanne Smith, new business director at Drew Smith, said: "We're delighted to be facilitating the delivery of affordable homes on this important heritage site in Blandford, alongside housing association partner Stonewater.

"Despite the lack of formal obligation to provide affordable housing on the site, we're fulfilling our partnerships commitment and will be providing 21 much-needed affordable homes for the local community."

The apartments and houses are part of the Brewery Place development. Following the delivery of the first phase, Brewery Place will include another 42 properties.

Matt Crucefix, director of development at Stonewater, said: "Dorset Council has been very supportive, and we're pleased the number of affordable homes being built will be more than had been originally planned.

"Not only will the scheme transform this brownfield site, creating an attractive development, but it will help meet the need for affordable homes in this highly desirable area."

Cllr David Walsh, Dorset Council's Portfolio Holder for Planning, said: "I'm very pleased that this development is utilising a brownfield site and will provide much needed affordable housing for local people."

Following demolition of the old buildings on this part of the site, the new homes are due to be completed between May 2022 and January 2023.

The affordable homes, which are part of the first phase, will comprise of two one-bedroom flats and 12 two-bedroom flats for social rent, plus seven three-bedroom houses for shared ownership.

Hall & Woodhouse sold its old brewery to Homes England in 2017, which is now part-funding the development of the affordable homes, after the company moved to its new brewery on another part of the site.

The proposed wider 180-home development of houses and apartments will be a mix of converted Victorian former brewery buildings and new-build properties.