Camp Hill’s multi-million Bluebell development is under way » Housing » 24dash.com

Building work has started on the multimillion pound Bluebell development in Camp Hill, once Warwickshire’s most impoverished area, where 814 more new homes will be built over the next ten years.

The start of construction work on site today (Friday 20th November) by developer Barratt Mercia marked the beginning of the final phase of ‘Pride in Camp Hill’, a 10-year programme to transform the area, breathing new life into the community.

Andy Peters, Managing Director of Barratt Mercia, joined representatives from the ‘Pride in Camp Hill’ partnership to record the event with a traditional sod-cutting ceremony.

“This is an important milestone for Barratt and we are delighted to have begun build work at Bluebell after much hard work in the planning and preparation. This is a major project for us, the start of a 12-year programme worth nearly £100 million, and our commitment reflects our confidence in the local housing market,” Mr Peters said.

Advantage West Midlands is investing £4.9 million in this phase of the development, as part of a total investment of £13.5 million in Camp Hill.

A total of £8.2 million will eventually be invested into the scheme through the Homes and Communities Agency’s National Affordable Housing Programme, further to £3.1 million already invested by the HCA in the wider Camp Hill area.

Ivan Kite, Development Manager at Advantage West Midlands, said: “The start of work on site today is excellent news for Pride in Camp Hill, which is undoubtedly one of the most impressive regeneration projects in the Region and country – having won a position on this year’s list of top 100 regeneration projects nationally.

"The way the regeneration activity links in with the community sets a real example for how agencies should view social and economic regeneration.

"The enthusiasm and passion of Nuneaton is exceptional and everybody who has been involved in the regeneration of Camp Hill should be congratulated for their efforts."

Alan Franks, Director for Environmental Services at Nuneaton and Bedworth borough council, said: “This signifies an exciting and ambitious part of the development in Camp Hill. The real value is in the high quality building design, coupled with the opportunities and sense of place it will bring to the area.”

Named Bluebell by a local resident to signify renewal, the new site will ultimately include a high street, green spaces, views across Whittleford Park and natural links to the rest of the redeveloped area.

Chris Egan, Pride in Camp Hill Project Manager, said: “We have a shared vision of transforming not just buildings but the way people feel about Camp Hill – we can look forward to high quality housing that will stand the test of time, that is energy efficient and of new high quality designs. Residents will soon see exciting changes as the development progresses.”

Anne-Marie Simpson, Head of Regeneration at the Homes and Communities Agency in the West Midlands, said: “The scale of this project cannot be underestimated but it is very much about building and nurturing communities. We are all committed not only to the highest quality, sustainable design but also to the wider social, economic and environmental regeneration of the area.”

The Pride in Camp Hill partnership consists of a host of organisations including Advantage West Midlands, Coventry Solihull and Warwickshire Partnership, Nuneaton and Bedworth Borough Council, Warwickshire County Council, the Prince's Foundation and residents and businesses in the area.

£122 million of private sector investment has been attracted into Nuneaton and Bedworth so far with more than £45 million of public sector money contributed as well. The total investment projected by 2023 is around £300 million.