AMBITIOUS multi-million pound plans to revamp a clutch of Southampton estates have moved a step closer.

Demolition work has begun at two of city’s oldest estates, as housing chiefs bid to breathe new life into the area.

Bulldozers have moved in at Laxton Close, in Sholing, and Exford Avenue, in Harefield, where run-down 1960s flats are being flattened to make way for 200 new builds.

As previously reported by the Daily Echo, the £30m scheme will see 30 houses and 33 flats built at Laxton Close, while the Exford Avenue shopping parade has been torn down to make way for 35 houses and 90 flats.

New shops and a post office will also be built on the site of the Exford Arms pub.

Demolition work took place at the third site involved in the scheme, Meggeson Avenue, in Townhill Park, last August, where run-down flats have made way for ten houses and 23 flats.

Half of the new homes will be available to buy, while others will be on offer for “affordable” rent.

The plans by Lovell and the First Wessex housing association, which form part of Southampton City Council’s estate regeneration programme, were approved by councillors in September 2011.

They form a key part of Southampton City Council’s estate regeneration programme, which aims to build more good quality homes, create local jobs and improve residents’ wellbeing.

Councillor Warwick Payne, the city’s housing and leisure boss, said: “We are committed to providing a brighter future for our residents by working with them to create more affordable and private homes to meet the need of our residents across the city.

“With Meggeson Avenue already demolished and the start of demolition at Laxton Close and Exford Avenue, we are one step closer to improving the lives of many of our residents.”

David Gough, regional director at Lovell, said: “We are looking forward to getting started on building high quality, attractive, secure and comfortable new homes both for existing residents and also for new buyers attracted by the exciting and ambitious plans for these areas.”

The developments have been supported by a £1.2m investment from the Homes and Communities Agency (HCA) and a £1.24m grant from the Partnership for Urban South Hampshire (PUSH).