A land purchase negotiated by property agents John Truslove has paved the way for nearly 30 new homes for people with mental health needs to be built in Redditch this spring.

John Truslove worked with buyer Bromford Housing Association and vendor St Francis Group, a property development company, to secure the £435,000 deal on a triangular plot of land on Ipsley Street in Redditch town centre, on the site of the old Liberal Club.

Bromford is one of the country’s leading housing associations, with more than 100,000 people living in its 44,000 homes across the Midlands and West of England.

It has secured planning permission for its 13th MyPlace scheme to provide adults with mental health needs the opportunity to live independently in their own home. It will also feature a communal hub, office, car parking and landscaped gardens.

The plan is for a MyPlace supported housing scheme comprising 14 single-bedroom flats to be built alongside 13 two-bed flats for shared ownership and affordable rent.

The proposals were given planning permission by Redditch Borough Council in November after a public consultation and construction work is now due to begin this spring as part of a £3.7 million investment in the local area.

Nathan Deen, senior land manager at Bromford Housing Association, said: “This is our 13^th MyPlace development across the Midlands and as with our others, this will really give people with long-term conditions the perfect platform to take control of their own life, reduce their dependency and ultimately live more independently.

“With home ownership proving so unaffordable for many, the shared ownership properties will also provide high-quality homes which are ideal for first-time buyers hoping to get on the property ladder or those looking for that town centre lifestyle.”

Mr Deen added: “We are really pleased to complete the land purchase for such a great site which, now that planning permission has also been received for 27 flats, will rejuvenate what is a prominent location right in the heart of Redditch town centre.

“John Truslove were very pragmatic and understanding of any issues we encountered throughout the process and we would welcome the opportunity of working with them again on land acquisitions in the future.”

The site, which lies between Station Way and Evesham Street just minutes from the Kingfisher Shopping Centre, will be accessed by two existing entrances and is currently home to a pay-and-display car park.

Gareth Williams of St Francis Group said: “This site was surplus to our development needs and we are delighted that it has found a use that will provide such an important service for local people with mental health needs.

“Ben Truslove, at John Truslove, was an ideal intermediary between us and the buyer, ensuring both parties secured a satisfactory deal to our mutual benefit.”

Ben Truslove, joint managing director of John Truslove, said: “We were able to draw on our long and extensive knowledge of the property market in and around Redditch to help secure this property sale and the subsequent development of this site for a valuable and important housing project.

“We are proud and delighted to have played our part in helping to provide much-needed homes for people with mental health needs in this area.”