£13m to support next phase of affordable housing scheme
A £13m investment is set to be made into the next phase of Port Loop in Birmingham.
The funding from the West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) will support the delivery of a further 58 apartments designed by architects shedkm. It was announced by Mayor of the West Midlands, Andy Street at the 43-acre canalside site.
Joint venture partners Urban Splash and Places for People has already developed 105 homes, which are completed and fully-occupied. The partners, working with Birmingham Council and the Canal & River Trust, have also created a one-acre public park, improved towpaths, and worked with local operators to deliver community events.
The JV is also moving forward with a further 500 new homes having applied for planning for the next phases. Future proposals include a 31 house-scheme designed by shedkm, plus a phase of 331-apartments designed by Birmingham-architect Howells – a phase which will feature a new public park and residential green spaces.
Speaking on behalf of the joint venture, Places for People’s managing director of placemaking and regeneration, Sammie Steele, said: “We are delighted to continue our work at Port Loop, outlining our future plans to deliver more much-needed homes here, and extending this unique new community.
“We really enjoyed showing Mayor Street around the site and sharing our vision for Port Loop as we transform more of this land into a sustainable new place in which everyone can thrive.”
Andy Street, Mayor of the West Midlands, and Chair of the WMCA, said: “Port Loop is an initiative that is about more than just building houses. It marks a substantial and collective commitment to increasing the provision of affordable homes in our region – regenerating derelict brownfield sites and transforming them into vibrant communities.
“Our focus remains on ensuring that these homes meet the needs of local residents and help us stay on track to continue meeting our housing targets to build at least 215,000 homes by 2031.
“Together, we’re improving access to housing, creating inclusive neighbourhoods and powering growth and prosperity right across our region in the months and years ahead.”
Added Adam Willetts of Urban Splash: “Port Loop is a unique site, and we are looking forward to taking our ambitious plans to the next stage; our newest homes and proposals are a result of great collaboration and partnership working with Places for People, our design team, and key stakeholders.”
The new Port Loop apartments are set to complete in early 2025.
