WORK to demolish a former derelict factory in Harwich and replace it with social housing has been completed and marked with an official opening.

The former Bernard Uniforms factory, in Main Road, which has been left unused since 2007, has been torn down and replaced by 27 houses and apartments.

Essex-based housing association Colne Housing's plans to build the homes were given the greenlight by Tendring Council in November 2015 and building work began in February 2016.

To mark the completion of the building work residents and representatives from Tendring Council, Harwich Town Council, Rose Builders, Colne Housing and Bernard family members attended an official opening ceremony on Friday May 5.

The community is called Bernard Mews to mark the history of the site and the name was put forward by resident Michael Fossey, following a competition.

The majority of the homes are being rented to people from the Harwich area who had been on the Tendring housing register.

Dean and Shelley Lawson and their three children have just moved into a three-bedroom house with a garden.

Dean, a full-time painter and decorator, said: “We have just had a new baby and our house was OK but getting too small. This new home is absolutely amazing.”

Marcelle Kiera Kristiansen, 51, who has a one bedroom apartment overlooking the sea, said: “I love this place. I wake up every morning and watch the sun rise over the sea. Thank you.”

Colne’s chief executive Sara Thakkar said: “This collection of 27 modern new homes really is fantastic. We own and manage all the homes on the development and this has helped us get it absolutely right and create a great place for people to live by the sea and near local amenities.

“Working together with Tendring Council we have been able to house a range of single people, couples and families here, who are fostering pride in their new community.”

Paul Price, Tendring Council's corporate director for operational services, welcomed the opening of these new homes for local residents.

He said: “We are very pleased to have been able to collaborate with Colne Housing over this project to provide the type of housing that is desperately needed in the district.

“It is good to see that people are moving in and enjoying this range of accommodation in a great location which had previously stood derelict for years.”

These new homes in Harwich are among the 700 set to be built by Colne for local people over the next five years.