Work now underway on a multi-million pound affordable housing scheme is set to build on the success of a project which has already transformed an important neighbourhood close to Stafford town centre.
Stafford and Rural Homes (SARH), is building 35 new energy-efficient homes in Exeter Street that will be completed in 2016, the same year the social landlord celebrates its tenth birthday. The £4.2 million project has benefited from £700,000 grant funding from the Homes and Community Agency and involves the construction of 35 new houses and apartments.
They are being built on land that was formerly occupied by a number of garages and will complement the wider £10 million regeneration of the Penkside area of town as part of SARH Total Place project.
The highly acclaimed regeneration scheme has seen the refurbishment of more than 300 homes and a number of shops across six local streets; and this latest development will provide a further boost to the area.
During a recent site visit, SARH Chief Executive Karen Armitage, commented: “This really is a landmark project that re-enforces our commitment to providing quality, affordable homes to meet local needs.
“At the same time it is providing a real focus for the regeneration of one of the town’s best known neighbourhoods on a key route into Stafford. As part of Total Place, SARH has already refurbished hundreds of homes alongside a host of other works to improve the local environment. This new-build will complement all that’s already been done to transform the neighbourhood into an area the community can be proud of.”
“I’m delighted to see that work is progressing well on site and we’re all looking forward to working closely with the developer Jessup Brothers through to the completion of this ambitious project, an occasion that’s set to prove to be one of the highlights of our 10th anniversary year.
When complete the project will provide seven, one bedroom apartments; five, two bedroom apartments; and 24, two, three and four bedroom houses for rent. All have been designed to blend in with the wider regeneration scheme.
Clive Jessup, Managing Director, Jessup Brothers, said: “We are delighted to be working with SARH on this exciting scheme in Stafford to provide 35 new affordable properties. This scheme continues our partnered approach where Jessup accesses grant funding from the Homes and Communities Agency. The development will provide further opportunities for our apprentices to develop their skills and help support our local supply chain.
“All of the homes will be energy efficient and built in a traditional style.”
The project also has the backing of Stafford Borough Council, and Jeremy Pert, Cabinet Member for Communities, added: “Stafford is forecasting a growth in population over the next few years and we need to build the housing in advance to cover this growth. This needs to be a balanced mix of housing for different family sizes, householder ages and types of tenure.
“This latest development by SARH helps to offer that choice to people in the Borough. However in Exeter Street SARH has gone further by looking at the wider regeneration of the whole area as part of a £10m transformation and regeneration objective.
“This will benefit more than just the people living in these new properties and offers not just well designed houses but also a vision for this neighbourhood for the future and a place where people are proud to live.”
