Building work restarts on pounds 16m development.

WORK on a pounds 16million development in Walsall, which stalled because the builder went into administration, is to restart.

Around 130 new houses in Bentley had to be put on hold after the collapse of Warwickshire-based Concept Development Solutions in July, with the loss of 31 jobs.

The new homes were set to regenerate the area and provide affordable homes to meet local need.

It was part-funded by the Homes and Communities Agency. But now Walsall Housing Group has awarded the contract for nearly half the work to Frank Haslam Milan - a company which forms part of the Keepmoat group of companies.

The sites are at Western Avenue and two plots off Churchill Road.

WHG spokesman Lyndsey Hunt said: "We are very happy to have appointed FHM and look forward to the homes being completed and customers moving in. Over the coming week we will be finalising details with FHM."

WHG was set up in 2003, following stock transfer from Walsall Council. It is the borough's biggest social landlord, with around 19,000 properties, and has invested more than pounds 350 million in local homes and the environment.