By: Robert Hale A MAJOR development of affordable housing in Malvern could be ready in the summer of 2009 if all goes well.

Plans for the blocks of flats on the old council depot site off Pickersleigh Road have been sent to Malvern Hills District Council by a Birmingham-based developer.

Concept Development Solutions is working in partnership with Malvern-based Festival Housing Group to develop the site, behind the newly-built Prospect View health centre.

The proposal is to build 50 two-bedroom flats in four separate blocks grouped around a landscaped parking area. 24 of the flats are intended for rental and 26 for shared ownership.

Festival Housing has applied to the Housing Corporation, a national body, for a social housing grant to pay for the flats.

Richard Grounds of Festival said the application, for £2 million, was made in November, and they were still waiting to hear about it. If all goes well, he said, building work should start later this year and be finished by summer next year.

"There's a significant need for all types of housing in Malvern, but particularly for single people and couples, that this development will cater for," he said. "Along with North Site, this site is a major part of our plans for providing affordable housing in Malvern."

A mini-roundabout is currently being built at the junction of Pickersleigh Road and Madresfield Road to cope with traffic generated by the health centre and the proposed apartments.