Shrewsbury residents have been witnessing the end of a part of their community with a rundown block of shops expected to be reduced to a pile of rubble by the end of today.

The final demolition work at what had become a delapidated area in Moston Road in Sundorne has been taking place over the past 24 hours to prepare the site for a £2.7 million block of homes and a replacement shop.

The site has been a haven for anti-social behaviour problems in recent years.

Social housing association Severnside Housing is behind the regeneration project which is expected to take about three years to complete.

It will create 27 homes, a shop and a community room for the Moston Green sheltered housing scheme.

Traffic calming measures will also be installed as part of the multi-million pound project.

The scheme has proved controversial, with several shop owners fighting to keep their stores and prevent the work from taking place.

But it is hoped the development will improve the area, which has a history of anti-social behaviour as well as many other problems.

Matthew Spittles, asset management director at Severnside Housing, said: “We’re pleased that such visible progress is being made at Moston Road.

“The local community has been keen to see the demolition of the shops and the regeneration of the local area and Severnside, in partnership with other local agencies, is now delivering this. Work on the first phase is on schedule to be completed in January next year.”

The first part of the project has included the demolition of the garages, shops and flats above, and will see seven two-bedroom houses, two two-bedroom bungalows and a shop with a flat above it built. The phase is expected to be completed by January 2010.

The second phase will include the demolition of three properties and creation of the community centre and seven bungalows.

The final phase is due to include the demolition of the service manager’s house and five other properties. Six two-bedroom houses, three three-bedroom houses and two two-bedroom bungalows will be built.