DEMOLITION work has begun as part of a scheme to provide more than 40 new homes for social renting at an estate in Hackney.

Bridport House, on the Colville Estate, is currently being demolished and rebuilt, replacing its 20 flats with 41 new homes for residents, who have been temporarily re-housed.

Deputy Mayor of Hackney, Cllr Karen Alcock, paid a visit to the site on 15 June to see the progress being made along with Maggie Worster, Chair of the Colville Estate Tenants and Residents Association (CETRA), and other CETRA members.

Cllr Alcock said: “This is good news for residents as work is getting under way. Hackney Council is committed to ensuring the continuing regeneration of our housing estates. I am delighted we are seeing the first new council housing being built for many years in Hackney – providing top quality homes for local people.

Miss Worster said: "This is the end of over nine years of work, and the start of the next phase - it s going to be the jewel of our crown."

The new homes at Bridport House are expected to be completed by summer next year.

The demolition work at Bridport House is all part of a wider programme to build new social rented homes on several Hackney estates, including Ottaway Court and Rendlesham House, which has received £16million in Government funding through the Government s Homes and Communities Agency (HCA) since September 2009.