UP to 100 jobs will be created after a major housebuilder unveiled plans to open a new regional headquarters in Oxford.

The Galliford Try Group, which trades as Linden Homes, has already set up a temporary base in Abingdon and is now looking for suitable premises in the city for a permanent base.

Bosses say the move will help the firm, which closed its Marlow office in 2008 due to the downturn, become “one of the UK’s top six housebuilders” as the housing market moves out of recession.

The company has already completed major projects such as the Aspire development in Witney, part of the Marriotts Close redevelopment, Oakley Meadows in Chinnor and the Royal Apartments in Henley.

Now work has started on the £100m redevelopment of the former Fair Mile Hospital site in Cholsey, near Wallingford, which will see 353 homes built over the next three years. The original asylum building, which is now listed, will be converted into 130 apartments, with other homes built in the grounds.

The operation will be led by divisional managing director Greg Locke from Wallingford, former chief executive of David Wilson Homes.

Mr Locke said: “Linden has completed some very successful developments in this area and now sees opportunities to develop its potential throughout the Thames Valley.”