Developers Appointed to Build New Homes in the Black Country
Posted 04.10.12
Sandwell Council has awarded contracts to Kier Partnership Homes, Barratt Homes and Compendium Living to build properties in West Bromwich, Smethwick and Wednesbury respectively.
The three schemes will see a total of 768 brand new homes built by 2015. They will feature new family homes as well as bungalows for older people and will be a mixture of properties for private sale and for social rent.
Businesses and jobseekers are set to benefit from the schemes which are expected to generate more than £70 million worth of construction work for the region's supply chain and will create more than 100 jobs with local employers.
The developers have signed construction pledges to work with local suppliers and will team up with the Council's Think Local and 'Find It In Sandwell' initiatives.
All apprentices placed by Think Local on the schemes will be able to work towards an NVQ qualification. and 'Find It In Sandwell' initiatives. Developers have pledged to build close links with local suppliers via the 'Find it in Sandwell' business network.
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120 New Affordable Homes Launched in Filey
Posted 08.10.12
Mill Meadows is a family-friendly development of 300 new homes, being built by Coast & Country Developments, on the edge of the coastal town of Filey - with investment of £2.23 million from the Homes and Communities Agency to help provide 120 affordable homes.
To mark the official launch and opening of the Show Homes, legendary cricket umpire Dickie Bird watched a mock cricket match and then signed the cricket bat, which was auctioned at the event in aid of his charitable foundation that helps young people participate in sport.
Mill Meadows will offer 180 properties for sale, 60 available for shared ownership and 60 for rent providing a sustainable mixed tenure community.
The homes, which are being built to Code for Sustainable Homes level 4, will be energy efficient, economical to run and built to high standards with quality fixtures and fittings.
Community facilities form a key part of the development, with the inclusion of a large area of open space that will incorporate a leisure trail, areas of play and form a natural habitat for wildlife.
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Derby Community-led Housing Scheme Secures Funding
Posted 22.10.12
A resident-led organisation in Derby has secured almost £1.1 million of government money to build much needed homes on their estate.
OSCAR (Osmaston Community Association of Residents) was formed by local residents in January 2011 to help regenerate their neighbourhood following the closure and demolition of several large factory sites formerly occupied by Rolls Royce.
Residents established OSCAR after the Council-led regeneration scheme stalled. The group ensured that local residents themselves led the new regeneration scheme and that their views were at the heart of all the decisions made about the area.
The announcement of the £1.08 million investment from the Homes and Communities Agency (HCA) signifies 12 months of hard work by the residents to provide new homes on the Elton Road Quadrant site.
The development will create 80 new properties for the area, including 40 affordable rented properties that will be owned by OSCAR. The project will be one of the largest community-led schemes in the country.
The scheme has been approved by Derby City Council's Cabinet, so land will be transferred to OSCAR on a 125 year long lease at a peppercorn rent. There is also an option for OSCAR to purchase the freehold in 30 years time, once they have repaid the Council the additional low-cost loan to build the new homes.
Derby City Council has also committed to pay towards remedial work to the site in preparation for the development and OSCAR will now be working with developers to submit their planning permission for the scheme by December 2012, as well as registering as a housing provider themselves.
OSCAR aim to start work on site in April 2013 and complete the first phase of the development by February 2014 and the second phase in June 2014.
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Luton's Latest Housing Scheme Officially Opens
Posted 22.10.12
Kestrel Way, the latest affordable housing scheme being delivered by Aldwyck Housing Group in Luton is officially opened.
The scheme provides a mix of 51 affordable, high quality houses and flats including 37 spacious general needs houses, 8 intermediate rent houses and 6 supported living flats.
The development received investment of £2 million from the HCA and land was provided by Luton Borough Council.
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Work Starts on New Homes in Sheffield
Posted 29.10.12
A sod-cutting ceremony celebrated the official start of work to build new homes by Sheffield Housing Company (SHC), with more than £1.5 million of investment from the Homes and Communities Agency (HCA).
The ceremony took place at Brearley Forge in Parson Cross, one of three sites in the first phase of SHC's plans to build 2,300 new homes across the city over the next 15 years.
The 142 homes at Brearley Forge, which are being delivered by SHC (a partnership between Sheffield City Council, Keepmoat and Great Places Housing Group), will be high quality, sustainable and energy efficient, helping residents to dramatically reduce energy bills. Three of the homes will be built to the Government's Code for Sustainable Homes level 6 and all other homes to level 3.
The first phase will see a total of 305 homes, with 116 in Norfolk Park (Park Spring Drive) where start on site will be in early November, and 47 in Shirecliffe, where building is on course to start next year.
The homes in phase one are available for sale and rent, with some being built to mobility and wheelchair standards.
As well as providing housing, the scheme will help to stimulate the local economy with labour initiatives, training schemes and support for small, medium and community enterprises.
