GROUND work has finally begun on a £12m development in central Banbury that will see a former college site transformed into a retirement living complex.

The Park Gardens site will be located in Bath Road on land formerly occupied by Banbury and Bicester College, where vacant buildings were demolished earlier this year.

Work began in earnest following a sod-cutting ceremony on Friday, November 25 attended by students, councillors and directors from social enterprise Bromford.

John Donaldson, Cherwell District Council’s lead member for housing, said: "I was very pleased to attend the ceremony and look forward to seeing how work progresses.

"Park Gardens is an exciting and much-needed development which will provide residents with a balance of independence and support.

"We are pleased to see the substantial investment that Bromford is putting into the complex. This will support new jobs in Banbury."

A total of 78 one and two bedroom apartments for over 55s to live independently will be built on the site, a stone's throw from People's Park.

It will also include a café bistro and lounge, an activity studio, a gym, a hair and beauty salon, landscaped gardens and parking.

Various affordable tenure options will be available and residents will also have the option of specialist support and care tailored to their needs.

Bromford's in-house construction team is now laying the site foundations before the central steel structure can be created.

Bromford spokeswoman Penny Downing said: "Our retirement living homes are increasingly popular as they offer residents the opportunity to live in a lively and vibrant community where they can retain their independence, safe in the knowledge that support is available if they need it.

"We will welcome the local community, friends and family to become part of this next chapter in Bath Road’s history."

The land was made available by college providers Activate Learning after its media and motor vehicles were moved to Broughton Road three years ago.

It is hoped that once Park Gardens is complete students from the college will be able to work with staff and residents as they prepare for their careers.

A show home will be ready near the end of 2017 and Park Gardens is set to welcome its first residents in 2018.