Work to build 70 new homes and a variety of shops in the heart of a Southampton community has started.

Within two years the £10 million development will have risen out of the rubble of the 1960s shopping parade that previously stood in Weston Parade.

As reported by the Daily Echo the dilapidated building was knocked down earlier this year after plans to redevelop the site were approved.

French firm Bouygues Development has now started work on site to put up the £10 million complex with work expected to be complete by early 2016.

When finished it will contain 40 private apartments and 30 affordable flats, which will be managed by Spectrum Housing.

At the heart of the area will be a new library and community space. It will also have a new Co-op, replacing the old shop that was part of the parade, two other retail units and 98 car parking spaces.

While the work goes on, Weston Library is being housed at Chamberlayne Leisure Centre.

The council’s Labour Cabinet member for housing and ward councillor Warwick Payne said: “This development is exciting because it provides a real opportunity to refresh Weston and provide a new gateway for the estate.

“The previous shopping parade was perhaps the weak link in the area in architectural terms and providing the new parade and much-needed homes for the community should provide a bright new vision and future for Weston.”

Nicolas Guérin, managing director of Bouygues Development, said: “With community at the heart of our projects we are excited to be developing this new scheme at Weston Lane, which will create high-quality homes for local people along with exceptional new public facilities.

“This development will play an important role in the wider regeneration of the area and we look forward to bringing it to fruition, working with our partners at Southampton City Council and Spectrum Housing Group.”