Work begins on new housing development in Oswestry
News from our partners Shropshire Towns and Rural Housing
Shropshire Towns and Rural Housing is pleased to announce that work has now started on an exciting new housing development in Oswestry.
Representatives from Shropshire Towns and Rural Housing, Shropshire Council and construction company Speller Metcalfe came together on the former Swan Lane site to celebrate the official start on Thursday 6 February 2014.
Speller Metcalfe will now begin work on the housing development, which will comprise of 15 three-bedroomed and 4 two-bedroomed high-quality homes. One of these will be specially designed in conjunction with Transhouse, a local registered charity providing living opportunities for people with physical disabilities. The development will offer a mix of houses for rent and low cost home ownership.
Shropshire Towns and Rural Housing, who manage over 4,200 homes on behalf of Shropshire Council, has contracted Speller Metcalfe to build 68 properties across north and south Shropshire as part of its affordable housing programme.
The affordable housing programme has been made possible through funding from the Homes and Community Agency, and the council’s housing revenue account.
Sue Adams, Managing Director of Shropshire Towns and Rural Housing, said:
“We are really pleased that work has now started on the construction of 19 new properties on Swan Lane.
“Providing good-quality, low cost homes in Shropshire is an absolute priority for us and the affordable housing programme will allow us to bring new homes to Oswestry.
“This development is further evidence of our commitment to ensure local people have access to good quality and affordable housing in the county.”
Mal Price, Shropshire Council’s Cabinet member for housing, added:
“I welcome the official start of a brand new housing development for the county. The aim of our affordable housing programme is to provide good-quality affordable housing to meet the current and future needs of communities.
“This is an exciting project and we are delighted to have Speller Metcalfe on board as our contractor. It marks an important step in providing affordable homes for people in Shropshire.”
Vince Hunt, local Shropshire Councillor for Oswestry West, said:
“As local councillor and a board member of Shropshire Towns and Rural Housing, I am delighted that we are now on the cusp of beginning to rebuild the area with what are going to be quality family homes. I’m really looking forward to working with local people to help enhance and build a vibrant community.”
Matt Brown, Living Division Director at Speller Metcalfe, commented:
“Speller Metcalfe is delighted to be a part of this scheme, which will not only provide additional housing for local residents, but will aim to reduce running costs for tenants. Working closely with the local community in Owestry will be key to the project’s success and we look forward to starting on the project.”
The new housing development is scheduled to be completed in spring 2015.
For more information about Shropshire Towns and Rural Housing, visit the website at www.starhousing.org.uk. You can also follow us on Facebook by searching for “Shropshire Towns and Rural Housing” or on twitter @star_housing.
Further information
Speller Metcalfe was chosen out of three contractors following an extensive procurement process. When complete, the affordable housing development will consist of 68 new homes offering a mix of two- and three-bedroom houses for rent and low cost home ownership in and around the Oswestry and Bridgnorth areas.
There will be 43 new properties for rent and 25 properties for low cost home ownership in and around the Oswestry and Bridgnorth areas.
The properties will comprise of 28 three bedroom homes and 40 two bedroom homes and will be built across 15 different sites which include:
Oswestry area
- Swan Lane – 15 three-bedroomed houses and four two-bedroomed houses (one of which will be a bungalow especially designed in conjunction with Transhouse for people with spinal cord injuries)
- The Willows, West Felton – two three-bedroomed houses and one two-bedroomed bungalow (these properties will be ‘Lifetime Homes’, whereby they are easily adaptable to the changing needs of the resident)
- Gatacre Avenue, Oswestry – four two-bedroomed houses
- Sefton Place, Oswestry – four two-bedroomed houses
- Western Avenue, Whittington – three two-bedroomed houses
- Marshfields, Maesbury – two two-bedroomed houses
- Hammonds Place, Gobowen – four two-bedroomed houses
- Cottage Lane, St Martins – two two-bedroomed houses
- Gate Street, Oswestry – two two-bedroomed houses
- Fitzalan Close, Babbinswood – two three-bedroomed houses
Bridgnorth area
- Rhea Hall, Highley – one three-bedroomed house and nine two-bedroomed houses
- Wilkins Close, Highley – one two-bedroomed bungalow (replacing an existing, structurally damaged bungalow)
- Idsall Crescent, Shifnal – two two-bedroomed houses
- The Mall, Bridgnorth – six three-bedroomed houses
- Woodberry Close Bridgnorth – two three-bedroomed houses and two two-bedroomed houses
