Following our appointment in March 2019, the £8 million scheme was close to reaching the topping out stage for the first tranche of new homes before all work was paused due to the Covid-19 lockdown.
All 48 new homes at the 5.4-acre site are being developed for affordable housing provider Stonewater, with Solihull-based Living Space Housing having sourced the land, secured planning and constructing the scheme.
As construction works continues to be encouraged where employees and contractors are able to adhere to social distancing and safe working practices while the UK continues to be in lockdown, Living Space Housing is confident it can progress with construction.
Steve Davies, Managing Director at Living Space Housing, said:
“Construction work had been moving on at pace here prior to all work being paused when the Prime Minister announced the UK was on lockdown. Our team has worked extremely hard over the past month to understand the impact of Covid-19 across our whole supply chain and to ensure all guidance regarding social distancing and hygiene can be adhered to. We are delighted that with Stonewater’s blessing, we can now recommence work and deliver these 48 much-needed affordable homes to the Kidderminster housing market.
“This expansive scheme has driven us to set up the extensive supply chain we now have in place across Living Space’s development portfolio. We are very grateful for the support from our sub-contractors, consultants and the team at Stonewater at this unprecedented time.”
Matt Crucefix, Director of Development (West) at Stonewater, said:
“We’re pleased that we’re able to continue work at the former Victoria Carpets Sports Ground. Our number one priority has always been, and will always be, the health and wellbeing of our customers and colleagues. We have endeavoured to, where safe and within government guidelines, to continue with developing the much-needed and affordable homes that will help to reduce the housing crisis in high demand areas like Kidderminster.”
Graham Wright, Director at Waldeck, added:
“With all the necessary safety measures in place to ensure that the Waldeck and wider teams are working safely and adhering to all the necessary government guidelines, we are pleased to be back on-site, supporting our client on this important affordable housing scheme.”
The previously derelict site is located off Spennells Valley Road and neighbours Kidderminster Golf Course. Once completed, 60 per cent of the homes will be available for affordable rent, with the remainder available to buy through Stonewater’s shared ownership scheme.
The developable area is enclosed by mature trees and the new homes are being constructed using two complementary types of red brick, as well as render. The properties will be surrounded by public open space and a newly created ecological area.