MORE than 20 new homes have been built on the site of a Wirral school that parents fought for years to keep open.

The former grounds of Lyndale School in Eastham, which closed its doors in 2014, have been transformed by contractor HMS, with 24 new homes built.

Work has now been completed on the development. Each property is available via social rent or shared ownership.

Chris Bowen, managing director at Torus Developments, said: "Building great homes and revitalising brownfield sites, such as this, is central to how we operate and it's fantastic to see Lyndale Avenue transformed.

"The team has worked incredibly hard to create such high-quality homes and we’re looking forward to seeing this site positively contribute to Eastham's community and meet the real needs of local people where affordable housing is in short supply.

"I give great credit to HMS for stepping in to complete this scheme when the previous contractor became insolvent.

"It's not an easy situation to find a solution to so it’s great to see this handover ready for occupation."

HMS took over the construction of Lyndale Avenue when Cruden Construction went into administration.

HMS' managing director Paul Worthington, said: "I'm proud of not only how Lyndale Avenue looks and what it offers, but also what it represents for the team.

"It shows how resilient and efficient HMS is and it showcases the challenges we can overcome to get projects over the line."

Lyndale Avenue is the latest development completed by HMS and the second it has handed over on Wirral, following on from the completion of its 15-unit site in Pensby last year.

It is the fifth scheme where HMS has stepped in to complete schemes for Torus where previous contractors have been unable to complete works.

Chester and District Standard:

Paul Worthington (managing director of HMS), Pat Stewart (former headteacher of Lyndale School), Chris Bowen (Torus Developments managing director), and Lisa Newman (head of operational housing services at Wirral Council) near new homes on Lyndale Avenue

Commenting on the development, Lisa Newman, head of operational housing services at Wirral Council, said: "It's great to once again work with Torus to bring forward more affordable housing on former council-owned land, boosting the supply of affordable housing for rent and sale in Wirral."

The council's decision to close Lyndale School was made back in 2014.

Parents were devastated after their petition backed by more than 10,000 people was turned down. After a consultation and various debates and meetings, the school, where many of the pupils who attended had profound and multiple learning difficulties, closed its doors for the final time in 2016, having been deemed 'surplus to requirements' by Wirral Council.

Pupils were then moved to other schools in Wallasey and Pensby.

Remarking on the regeneration of the site, former headteacher of Lyndale School, which occupied the site until 2014, Pat Stewart, said: "Lyndale School was a very happy place and I hope that this legacy will be passed on to the residents of this lovely new development."