WORK has started on a multi million pound sheltered and affordable housing complex on the site of the old Bronte Middle School, Bogthorn.

Derbyshire-based firm Wildgoose Construction has announced the start of the construction, part of which will provide accommodation for older people.

The company was chosen by Bradford Council as the main contractor for the £10.8 million project to create 69 apartments and a 50-bed care home.

When complete the scheme will provide a total of 36 two bed and 33 one bed extra care apartments, with communal areas, a lounge, an activity room, a restaurant, offices, a hair salon, and a therapy room.

Next to this will be the care home which will feature a lounge, dining areas, gym, offices, associated parking and gardens.

Designed by Bradford architects Langtry-Langton, the complex will form part of Bradford Council’s "Great Places to Grow Old Scheme" and will support an ongoing drive for older people to maintain independent living.

As part of the wider project, Wildgoose will also be constructing 51 new homes in a contract worth £6.6 million on an adjacent site.

Made up of two, three and four bedroomed properties, the homes will be a mixture of terraced and semi-detached affordable houses built on behalf of the council.

Jonathan Wildgoose, executive chairman of Wildgoose Construction, said: “We are delighted as a company to secure such significant contracts to provide much needed facilities and homes for local communities.

“We have completed a range of projects across the Yorkshire region in recent years, and it is important to get repeat business from a client we have worked with previously.”

Work has begun on both sites, with the 51 homes due to be completed in May 2018, and the care facilities and apartments by the end of October 2018.

Commenting in support of the planned accommodation for elderly people, Bradford Council has previously warned that there is a huge demand in the district for "extra care accommodation" with only a small supply available from housing associations.

Speaking last summer, a council spokesman noted that as of July that year there was only one vacancy for extra care across the whole Bradford Metropolitan area – including Keighley.

"We have insufficient places throughout the district, particularly in Keighley, to meet demand," he said.

The land previously occupied by Bronte Middle School has been vacant since 2000, following the restructuring of schooling in the district from three to two tiers.

The disused school building remained empty for years and was targeted by vandals, until Bradford Council had it knocked down in 2009.