DEMOLITION teams will be moving in on the site of a former police headquarters to clear the way for much-needed housing.

Persimmon Homes will clear the concrete buildings and transmitter as it begins construction of the second phase of its much-anticipated Ladgate Woods development at the former headquarters of Cleveland Police.

The force vacated the 1970s built office block and moved to a new £20m hub in Middlesbrough after annual running costs of the buildings soared to £1m.

Persimmon Homes Teesside secured the £17.7m deal in November 2015 and has planning permission for 375 homes to be built.

Sean Taylor, technical director for Persimmon Homes Teesside, said: “We secured the land through tender and we are now ready to move ahead with the next phase of this new development.

“We hope to see the demolition begin before the end of the year and will continue with the construction process.”

Joan Peart, sales manager for Persimmon Homes Teesside, said: “Ladgate Woods offers a perfect selection of house types to suit the needs of modern-day living.

“Our selection of three and four-bedroom homes has been exceptionally well received and we have already welcomed a large number of customers to their new homes.

“The demolition of the former police headquarters will open up a new selection of homes, including two-bedroom properties, to the market and we fully expect demand to be as high for those.