£10m transformation of former hostel site moves forward

The £10m transformation of a former homeless hostel in Coventry is a step closer after a major landmark in its construction was reached.

Wates Residential has completed the construction of 20 homes for affordable rent at the former Chace Hostel site, marking a major milestone in WM Housing Group’s Willenhall development called Brooklands View.

Now handed over to Whitefriars Housing, which is part of WM Housing Group, the new homes form the first phase of the development which will feature a collection of 61 two, three and four-bedroom homes.

The new development will see the transformation of the former Chace Hostel under a joint venture between WM Housing Group and Wates Residential, backed by a £400,000 grant from Homes England.

Building work is already underway to deliver the second phase of Brooklands View, which comprises 41 homes available for open market sale through Signature New Homes, 90% of which have been reserved.

Richard Shroll, managing director of Wates Residential North, said: “Adopting a partnership approach with WM Housing has enabled us to create a development that transforms this historic site and addresses local demand for new homes. Working collaboratively and pooling our expertise with WM Housing has not only resulted in a high level of quality and specification but it has also enabled us to work together to positively impact the local area through a variety of on-site training and employment initiatives.”

The old Chace Hostel, which dated back to the Second World War, was demolished two years ago and replaced with a state-of-the-art “Place of Change” scheme for formerly homeless people,The Gateway, in Hillfields, which was also built by Wates.

Originally built in 1942 to accommodate the large number of workers moving to Coventry to help with the war effort, The Chace later housed people of over 15 nationalities who were either refugees or working to help rebuild the war-ravaged city.

Construction of Brooklands View is expected to be completed by spring 2019.