Bulldozers have moved in on an old police station site in Tatling End as work starts on a major housing development.

Last year South Bucks District Council’s (SBDC) planning committee gave the green light to plans demolish Gerrards Cross police station in Oxford Road and build 34 apartments in its place.

Today work started to tear down the existing houses on the site, with demolition work on the police station expected to start in April.

Construction work will take around 14 months, with the final project set to be complete by summer 2020.

The development will be made up of one and two-bedroom apartments which will be available to rent - 14 of which will be classed as “affordable”.

SBDC cabinet member for health communities, Patrick Hogan, said: “This is an exciting new project that will not only enhance the area, but will provide much-needed new homes for the community.

"Helping people in South Bucks to find a home is one of the most important things we do as a council and this scheme is just one of the significant steps we are taking to address this issue.

“In addition to this development, we will soon be delivering twelve one and two bedroomed self-contained units in Burnham that will provide additional accommodation for homeless households.

“We continue to work with registered provider partners such as L&Q, Paradigm and Bucks Housing in a bid to deliver more affordable housing."

The council says the development is “one of a number” in the district design to deliver a range of housing options for the community, including affordable rented housing and accommodation for homeless families.

SBDC has teamed up with contractor Willmott Dixon Construction to build the apartments.

Business director at Willmott Dixon, Richard Davidson, said: “We care about delivering affordable, high quality homes as well as ensuring every project we undertake leaves a positive impact.

"It's going to be great working closely with South Bucks District Council to deliver these much needed homes.

“Our team brings experience from affordable homes built recently for St Albans District Council where our collaborative approach has helped to meet the local housing need."