A £17million housing scheme in the heart of West Bromwich has seen work resume on site following the appointment of a new contractor. 

Midland Heart, the region's leading housing and regeneration organisation has appointed Mansell Construction Services (Mansell) to develop the £multi-million scheme on Bagnall Street. 

The appointment follows the announcement that Mansell has acquired elements of the construction and social house building division of Rok. 

Carl Larter, director for new business and development for Midland Heart, said: "The appointment of Mansell is really good news as the site is now fully operational and the development is now progressing well. 

"We are particularly pleased that all existing site and office jobs have been retained and we are now working to implement our training requirement in-line with the Homes and Communities Agency (HCA) funding, which should see local procurement and job opportunities too."

The former industrial site will create 106 affordable new homes, which will be available for rent-to-homebuy, rent, intermediate market rent and a number of homes being made available for a care and support service.   

The 4.8 acre site is being led by, Midland Heart, in partnership with Sandwell Metropolitan Borough Council and the HCA.

Stuart Belfield, managing director of Mansell Partnership Homes, added: "We are delighted to be resuming work on this project to deliver much needed homes for the community of West Bromwich and Sandwell. 

"Not only have we been able to secure the existing on site delivery team, but we are also working with Midland Heart and Sandwell MBC to deliver training and apprenticeship opportunities on the scheme."

Despite the uncertainty over the last few weeks, the scheme is still on schedule to be complete in early 2012.