Building work for a new 500 home estate in Southgate has commenced.

Diggers and a pile-driver have been moving onto the Ladderswood estate site in Southgate to start the first phase of construction.

The opening phase will see 40 new homes built and is due to be completed in summer 2015.

The 3.2-hectare housing estate is due to be finished in 2018 and Enfield Borough Council’s cabinet member for housing Councillor Ahmet Oykener says the new flats will be "generous" in size.

He said: “Ladderswood is part of the council’s programme to replace old and outdated accommodation across the borough. Flats will be both generous in size and energy efficient using the latest sustainable heating systems.

“We have consulted residents and businesses and have arrived at ambitious plans to regenerate the estate completely, with homes, commercial space, a new hotel and a community centre.

“Building on this scale is a gradual process which will be accomplished in five phases so that we can manage the operation of relocating residents while their old flats are demolished and new buildings appear.

“The regeneration will not only provide quality housing but new local jobs.”

The former Sir John Lawrence pub site is being transformed by developers Mulalley and housing association One Housing Group.

Mulalley director Eamon O’Malley said: “This is an ambitious and exciting project that will breathe new life into this important part of Enfield and create high quality and much-needed new homes to support the local and wider community.”

Mick Sweeney, group chief executive at One Housing, added: “We’re pleased to be partnering with Mulalley again to create this new community.

“The regeneration of Ladderswood will not only build new homes for the current residents but will also create a sustainable, mixed tenure development with new jobs being created during the construction and long after it’s built, there will be employment at the hotel and new businesses which will use the commercial space.”