£3.6m housing development gets under way in Birmingham
WORK has started on a new £3.6m housing development in one of Birmingham’s more deprived areas.
Accord Group is building the new development on the site for a former supermarket and petrol station in
Sparkbrook.
Keepmoat is the housing group’s partner in the project, which will see the development of stylish one and two bedroom apartments available for affordable rent by local people.
The apartments, which are being built on brownfield land, located off Stratford Road, are being built to higher specifications of thermal efficiency, in order to eradicate instances of fuel poverty.
To mark the beginning of the build, representatives from Keepmoat and Accord came together for trhe official groundbreaking ceremony.
Stephen Gabriel, board member of Accord, said: “In partnership with the Homes and Communities Agency and Birmingham City Council, we are delighted to be working with Keepmoat to help regenerate a former supermarket and petrol station into quality, contemporary affordable rent homes for local people.”
Alan Yates, Executive Director of Regeneration for the Accord Group, highlighted the innovation behind the scheme.
He said: “Accord Housing Association remains committed to helping address local housing needs. By regenerating brownfield sites, we are finding new uses for such sites and building out much needed affordable rent homes. These homes will offer customers well insulated and thermally efficient homes potentially resulting in lower running costs and lower heating bills.”
Dave Mellor, Regional Director for Keepmoat, said: “We will be working with the council and Accord to ensure we employ local apprentices and offer training courses for local people throughout the project.
“The UK’s shortage of affordable housing is well-documented, so it’s great to be involved in such an important project, where local employment, energy efficiency and affordability are high on the agenda and where much needed new homes will be well-received. I’m sure the new homes will be extremely popular.”
The development is planned for completion by the end of October 2017.
