Construction halted on 379-apartment scheme
Galliard Homes and partner Apsley House Capital have closed the company’s Timber Yard construction site in Birmingham with immediate effect, with the sole exception of important safety works.
The scheme, which comprises 379 studio, one, two and three bedroom apartments, plus ground floor commercial space, had recently officially topped-out, just one year after construction started.
A joint statement from Galliard and Aspley House said: “This decision by the partners will help to ensure the health and safety of the company’s on site staff, and will also remove construction workers from Birmingham’s transport network, helping to free up public transport for NHS staff and other key workers who the partners believe it is essential have priority and safe travel conditions at this critical time.
“Both companies highlight that the Galliard Apsley Partnership remains ‘open for business’. Galliard’s Birmingham sales function remains operational, with staff working from home, and the business will continue to market Timber Yard on Pershore Street, a scheme of 379 apartments which has now topped out and is more than 70 per cent forward sold.
“The partnership will also continue to take registrations of interest for the company’s pipeline developments at Soho Loop, where planning permission has been granted for more than 750 new homes and 10,000 sqft of commercial space, and St Paul’s Quarter, which has consent for 305 apartments and 100,000 sqft of commercial space.”
Formed in 2016, the Galliard Apsley Partnership has amassed a sizeable portfolio, with five major sites in Birmingham, including Belgrave Middleway and B1 Summer Hill Way, with a gross development value in excess of £500m.
Gerard Nock, Chairman of Apsley House Capital said: “Birmingham is at the core of our business and we are continuously committed to the UK’s second city, but during these unprecedented times the safety of our construction staff is paramount and we believe that by taking our staff out of daily commuting we will help to free up Birmingham’s transport network for the NHS and key workers who are protecting sick and vulnerable people across the region. Supporting the NHS and protecting lives is the sole priority at present, our teams can return to helping build Birmingham when this crisis abates.”
Don ‘O Sullivan, Chief Executive of Galliard said: “We clearly need firmer guidelines from central Government. That aside we are here to help support the NHS and key workers. Removing our Birmingham site staff from the transport network gives priority to health workers and other professionals who are commuting to work in order to help save lives – this is the priority and what matters.”
