Construction underway on £20m affordable housing development

Construction is underway on a new £20m affordable housing development featuring low-carbon heating systems in Cheltenham.

Housing association Bromford has started  building  71 homes on a four-acre brownfield site on Village Road, formerly occupied by the Douglas Equipment factory, which closed in 2020.

The former factory buildings were demolished in April to pave the way for the new development named The Fairway, comprising one-bedroom maisonettes and two, three, four, and five-bedroom homes.

Out of the 71 homes, 32 will be available for rent, while the other 39 will be offered through Bromford’s shared ownership scheme.

All residences at The Fairway will utilise air-source heat pumps for heating, providing a low-carbon alternative to gas boilers, and most will feature solar panels along with EV charging points.

The project is receiving partial funding through Bromford’s strategic partnership with Homes England.

Project manager Stuart Hay said: “I’m delighted that work is underway on our new development to provide new affordable, sustainable homes here in Cheltenham. Installing air-source heat pumps in all these homes will reduce our customers’ reliance on fossil fuels and help us on our journey to becoming a net-zero carbon organisation.

“House prices in Cheltenham are ten times average incomes, which means buying a home in the town is out of reach for many people, so there is a clear need for more affordable housing in the town. With a mix of rented and shared ownership homes, the variation of housing we are providing at The Fairways means there’s something for everyone. I’m looking forward to seeing the site progress over the coming months and welcoming the first customers into their new homes.”