A DESOLATE part of Southampton has now been transformed into new family-sized flats.

The new build, which was previously a boarded-up, ground-floor parking area, is now two flats in Condor Close, Southampton.

Home provider Stonewater has created the buildings in partnership with Southampton City Council. Hampshire contractors Daintree Developments built the properties, which cabinet member for housing Cllr Warwick Payne has claimed is “a magnificent job”.

He said: “We are very pleased to be joining Stonewater in opening these two affordable-rent homes in Woolston.

“They have done a magnificent job transforming the building’s parking area – which was once a magnet for antisocial behaviour – into family apartments.”

The housing developer has also transformed the complex’s overgrown communal garden, making it attractively landscaped and more private, with bicycle storage facilities.

Stonewater’s executive director for development, Jonathan Layzell said: “These new energy-efficient homes are a great example of how social housing providers are repurposing unused building spaces, into high-quality affordable housing for people.”