First phase celebrations for development at Newtown

Published by Melanie Hughes for Keepmoat in Housing and also in Communities

Keepmoat and Birmingham City Council are celebrating the completion of the first phase of development at the flagship ‘Horizon’ development in Newtown, Birmingham.

The first 21 homes built at the development; situated at the edge of the city centre, have been allocated and sold within weeks, with the scheme proving hugely popular with first-time buyers, couples and families alike.

Once completed, ‘Horizon’ is set to breathe new life in to the area with a total of  92 new homes along with a landscaped public square, three new schools, and the £5 million ‘Lighthouse’ youth facility development.

Keepmoat competed and won the opportunity to build the new homes for Birmingham City Council as part of its award-winning Birmingham Municipal Housing Trust (BMHT) programme that operates across the city.

BMHT is Birmingham City Council’s vehicle for delivering new, high quality homes and this latest development sees Keepmoat delivering the first 14 properties for private sale and seven properties for rent for council tenants.

Councillor Tahir Ali, Cabinet Member for Development, Jobs and Skills, said: “There is a real need for affordable housing in Birmingham and this new development is extremely welcome, and a vital part of the overall major regeneration of the area that has been initiated by the council over the last 6 years.

“I wish our new council tenants well and am glad the council has been able to help them with their housing needs and remain in the area. I am also pleased that through working with partners, we have been able to provide employment and training opportunities for local people and deliver the promises we made to the residents ofNewtownwhen we first set out to improve the area.”

Paul Degg, Regional Managing Director for Keepmoat, said: “The development has provided quality and affordable accommodation for the people in this area and it is proving extremely popular with local residents so far.

“We’re really pleased to be working in partnership with Birmingham City Council, providing homes for local people as well as creating employment and training opportunities for young people in the area.”

The new two, three and four-bedroom homes at the scheme were made available at prices to ensure that they were accessible to local people looking to take their first step onto the property ladder and for those needing to move to a larger home equipped with eco-credentials.

Mrs Reushna Bibi, a council tenant who recently moved to Annie Wood Way, said: “I am very happy with my new home. I now have a garden where my two children can play, secure parking, but most of all I love my new kitchen where we can all eat as a family.”

Keepmoat and Birmingham City Council worked together to provide employment and training opportunities for young people during the first phase of the development, including employing a number of apprentices.

Shaquille Miller, from Newtown, secured a placement as a trainee bricklayer through the Keepmoat Apprenticeship Programme. He said: “I think the scheme is great, it gives youngsters the chance to invest in the future of their area and gain valuable work experience in the construction industry.

“The opportunity to work and be a part of the regeneration development in our hometown is great and we’re looking forward to being part of the next phase of the development.”

All of the homes at the Horizon development were built to the Government’s standards for future sustainability, ensuring an environmentally friendly design with top quality insulation, and double glazing; helping to keep the cost of utility bills down.

Keepmoat and Birmingham City Council marked the success of Phase One of the development with a celebratory event this week at the ‘Horizon’ site.