A recently-formed West Midland housebuilder is fighting for business in one of the country's most sought-after locations.
Hagley Homes is targeting the prosperous Hagley/Belbroughton/ Blakedown area of Worcestershire by building homes worth up to £200,000.
Managing director Richard Jones formed his own business, the Hagley Building Company, in 1990 after a spell with national builder Bryant Construction.
Since then the company has undertaken a range of projects, including refurbishments, extensions and car showrooms.
Mr Jones recently took the decision to move into the luxury-homes market after realising there was scope for another operator in his home area.
In a short time, Hagley Homes has acquired sites with a development value of about £9 million and others are in the pipeline.
The first development to go on sale is Blakedown Mews, which consists of two clusters of 14 luxury apartments built to look like detached houses.
Plans for seven town houses are being drawn up for an adjacent site in Blakedown.
Mr Jones accepts that the housing market has cooled down, but believes that " sensibly priced" homes in the right location will always sell.
