Lovell wins sustainable homes contract

AFFORDABLE housebuilder Lovell has been chosen to build two new developments of energy-efficient council homes for Birmingham City Council’s Municipal Housing Trust.

The schemes, together worth £4.3 million, are part of a major new-build programme for council homes funded by the City Council and the Homes and Communities Agency.

Lovell will build 17 homes in Handsworth and 33 properties at Balsall Heath. All homes will meet Level 4 of the Code for Sustainable Homes . Properties will also meet Secured by Design standards. Lovell will provide a range of community training opportunities, including seven construction apprenticeships, and will be working with local schools.

Paul Spooner, regional director for the Homes and Communities Agency, said: “This ambitious building programme is a boost for the city and great news for residents who can look forward to the completion of the new, high quality homes, this time next year.  HCA investment is also providing much-needed construction apprenticeships for local people.”

Lovell regional director David Gough said “We are excited to be working with Birmingham City Council’s Municipal Housing Trust on this major new housing programme and look forward to delivering these high-quality, energy-efficient affordable homes for the city,” says
 
Last month, Lovell was eappointed to the new Delivery Partner Panel announced by the HCA, which is the national housing and regeneration agency for England.

The three-year delivery panel has been set up to streamline the development of new homes on public land by the HCA and other public sector bodies by giving them access to organisations able to provide a ‘one stop shop’ for the development of new homes.

Panel members will have the opportunity to work on the HCA’s projects including a range of regional schemes. In addition, local authorities, regional development agencies and other agencies will have access to the panel members to deliver new homes through programmes such as local authority new-build and the new Public Land Initiative.