Building begins on affordable housing development in Worcester

A new housing development will bring 120 affordable homes to Worcester, each with their own air source heat pump to boost energy efficiency.

The development designed by housing provider Stonewater, working in partnership with Worcester City Council and with funding from Homes England, will be cost-effective and lower carbon emissions.

Once completed local residents struggling to afford homes will be able to access the 26 homes for affordable rent, 38 for social rent and 48 for shared ownership.

Another eight will also be available for Rent to Buy and there will be a range of two, three and four bedroom houses being built by Vistry Partnerhsips West Midlands. 

Matt Crucefix, Director of Development (South and West) at Stonewater, said: ‘We’re excited to be working once again in Worcester, on what is our second site in the city with Northwick Farm due to complete over the next few months.

‘Having worked closely with Vistry for a number of years, we are pleased to be working in partnership to deliver this thoughtfully designed, energy-efficient development that will alleviate local housing demand, whilst creating new employment opportunities for young people living in the town.’

Stonewater has set ambitions to create local employment, training and supply chain opportunities through the housing development.

The housing provider has also committed to maintaining and managing the surrounding public spaces, by protecting local biodiversity and tending to green spaces in the area.

Residents will also get to enjoy their own green space, as each house will have a garden with parking and access to communal outdoor space with a fruit and vegetable garden and play area.

Additionally, there will be a ‘green corridor’ connecting the development with natural spaces and cycle paths and public artwork reflecting local heritage.

Cllr Owen Cleary, Vice Chair of Worcester City Council’s Communities Committee, said: ‘We are very pleased to see this development taking shape – it will provide 120 high-quality and affordable homes in Worcester. We know affordability is a real challenge for many people, whether they are privately renting or trying to buy a home, especially at the current time with the rising costs of energy and food.

‘Stonewater is one of several registered providers of housing in Worcester and we are keen to continue working with them to seek further opportunities to increase the stock of affordable housing across the city.’

Photo provided by Stonewater