Lovell follows Skipton win with housing scheme

LOVELL, the Yorkshire-based affordable housing and regeneration specialist arm of construction company Morgan Sindall, has been awarded a £20m contract.

The project on behalf of social housing provider Atlantic Housing to undertake a major redevelopment programme on the Velmore Estate near Eastleigh, Hampshire, follows last week’s announcement that Lovell will be a partner for a £35m regeneration scheme in Skipton, North Yorkshire.

The project win with Atlantic Housing, part of the First Wessex Housing Group, is the first that Lovell will undertake as a member of First Wessex Housing Group’s contractor framework.

It will involve the demolition of 100 bungalows built in the 1960s and the construction of 189 energy-efficient new homes.

Work is scheduled to start in September and will take 30 months to complete.

Paul Smith, chief executive of Morgan Sindall, said: “We are very pleased to secure our first contract with the First Wessex Housing Group. 

“Demand for new build and refurbished social housing remains strong and Lovell has secured a number of key contracts and framework agreements this year already.

“The area continues to be a Government priority and our ability and experience in delivering high quality social housing projects leaves us well positioned to take advantage of opportunities as they arise.”

The Skipton scheme involves the construction of 220 new homes – 88 for affordable rent and low-cost home ownership and 132 homes for open market sale – as well as new retail outlets.

Leeds-based Lovell was confirmed alongside Maple Grove Developments by Craven District Council on the scheme.