A MINI housing estate will be built in the city centre on the site of a former transport depot.

The development in Coval Lane will include 35 new homes, including four and three bed houses plus one and two-bed flats - and building work is set to start within weeks.

The site, a stone’s throw from the station, will be completely transformed over the next 18 months.

Things can get moving after Chelmsford Council approved the demolition of the single storey workshops, which were once part of the Essex County Council’s transport depot.

Bosses at developers Marden Homes said they were delighted to be working on the homes they hope will go up for sale next year.

Managing director Rick Tappenden said: “Marden likes Chelmsford strategically because of the other developments coming here, the city status it has and good transport links.

“We have been working with Chelmsford Council with this application to look for ideal sites around the city and with its city centre location and closeness to the train and bus station this site stood out.

“Chelmsford is proving to be a popular place for the company as we are getting a lot of enquiries about propertys in the area. We are proud to be able to bring this development to the city.”

The company behind the plans already own other sites in Chelmsford including plots on New London Road and Pottery Lane.

Last month the Weekly News revealed plans to redevelop the old Dukes Nightclub complex nearby into 55 flats.

For more details of these plans, visit www.mardenhomes.co.uk.