Pictured above: Michael Jackson and Linda Androlia of Miller Homes

Solihull based housebuilder Miller Homes West Midlands is making a confident start to the decade with two new developments in the region.

Construction activity has now started for the new schemes, located on high profile sites in Northfield and Erdington in Birmingham.

Sales and marketing director for Miller Homes West Midlands, Linda Androlia, explains: "Both sites are well known locally and there is genuine demand with lots of interest from people about the planned developments. It's great that diggers and workers are now visible on site and to be able to confirm that the new homes will be available for purchase off plan from March."

The announcement is good news for the West Midlands economy, helping the region meet its target for new homes as well as boosting local employment in the construction sector.

Androlia continues: "The end of the noughties was a challenging time for the housebuilding industry but this is yet another sign that the market is improving.

"With work beggining on not one but two new sites, we are sending a clear message to both housebuyers and our competitors that we are committed to the West Midlands and have real confidence in the housing sector."

Miller Central will be located on the former Kalamazoo site in Northfield with the first phase comprising a mix of 153 two, three, four and five bedroom homes. The Northcote development will offer 91 two, three and four bedroom properties on the George Road site in Erdington, previously occupied by the MEB.

Both developments have received Kickstart funding and will offer the Government backed shared equity initiative, HomeBuy Direct. Available on selected properties, the scheme is designed to help first-time buyers, renters and those living at home to move into affordable home ownership. Buyers are offered an equity loan of up to 30 per cent of the purchase price, co-funded by The Government and Miller Homes. Any household earning £60,000 or less who could not afford to buy a suitable property on the open market is eligible. 

"With reports that house prices are on the increase and schemes like HomeBuy Direct only available for a limited period, this is a great time to consider either stepping onto or moving up the property ladder," Androlia added.

"Miller Central and Northcote will offer Birmingham househunters the opportunity to choose from a selection of great properties, from houses ideal for first time buyers to larger family homes, all in popular locations. We anticipate the already significant interest to continue in 2010."