A PATCH of land blighted by anti-social behaviour is to be turned into a new homes development sooner than expected.

Builders have moved on to the site between Greystone Crescent and Sandholme Drive, Thorpe Edge, where quad bikes and nuisance cars have been making residents' lives a misery.

In one incident in 2012, children playing there had a narrow escape when a car, believed to be stolen, overturned down a slope on the land.

Incommunities had been due to start building homes there next spring, but this had now been brought forward because the social landlord had run into hold-ups at another of its building sites, said ward Councillor Geoff Reid (Lib Dem, Eccleshill).

He said: "We have come a long way since I walked round the corner of Greystone Drive on a Sunday afternoon to find a car upside down.

"I am delighted that a long campaign is now bearing fruit and I know that there will be no shortage of applicants for the houses once they are up."

The large patch of land between the two streets used to house flats, but they were demolished in 2008.

The semi-detached homes will all be rented out as social housing and are designed to be energy efficient to help tackle fuel poverty.

Jez Lester, Incommunities’ assistant chief executive for asset management, said: "We are delighted to be starting work on the regeneration of this plot which will create 16 two-bedroom homes, all for rent.

"In addition, we have submitted a planning application for a further affordable family-sized home on the site.

"Due to operational reasons this scheme has been brought forward as part of our latest affordable homes programme which will deliver much-needed local homes for local people."