Estates & Investments

The Solihull-based housing company has now handed over 39 affordable homes at the £7m Majestic Way development in Aqueduct, Telford, to The Wrekin Housing Group. 

Homes England first acquired the strategic 6.3-acre piece of land in the 1980s with plans to develop it for housing.

The Telford Land Deal programme, managed by Telford & Wrekin Council, saw this as an opportunity to fulfil the land’s proposition and carry out the original plan. 

This much-needed affordable housing scheme safeguarded and created new employment opportunities for Telford at a time when there was significant uncertainty, caused by Covid-19 lockdowns and restrictions.

When construction work started on site in 2021, a trio of Telford-based companies were contracted by Living Space to undertake the scaffolding, brickwork, and carpentry work including Telford Scaffold Service, Prestige Brickwork and M E Bishop Carpentry Ltd.

Local workers (up to 9% of subcontractors with a Telford postcode) across all three businesses helped to deliver the construction contract which has led to 39 purpose-designed modern dwellings being let at an affordable rent - at least 20% below standard local market rents. 

Six local apprentices per £1m of project spend also played key roles in delivering the construction programme.

The accommodation mix for the Majestic Way development comprises of 19 two-bedroom houses, 18 three-bedroom houses, and two two-bedroom bungalows. 

The Public Open Space (POS) around the development has now been seeded and landscaped incorporating controlled lighting to ecologically sensitive areas. 

The area of mixed woodland and grassland will provide habitat for great crested newts as well as other invertebrates, birds, reptiles, amphibians and small mammals.

In addition to the POS, the scheme has also delivered a sustainable drainage system (SUDS) attenuation feature and a new footpath to the long distance path - The Iron Bridge Way.

So far in total, the Land Deal has created in the region of 2,000 jobs, attracted around £325m of inward and foreign investment and created nearly 1,300 new homes.

Councillor Lee Carter (Lab), Telford & Wrekin Council’s Cabinet Member for Neighbourhood Services, Regeneration and the High Street, said: “Since 2015, the Telford Land Deal has led to the creation of around 2,000 jobs to support a series of new developments across the borough.

“It means that employment opportunities have arisen for local people to work on sites close to home and play their part in bringing these exciting construction projects to fruition.

“Living Space is a great example of how a housing development firm has employed local contractors to carry out work on site at Majestic Way.”

Councillor Eileen Callear (Lab), Telford & Wrekin Council’s Cabinet Member for Visitor Economy, Employment and Skills added: “It’s fantastic to see that local people have secured work on a series of Telford Land Deal projects.

“This particular project has provided much-needed employment during an uncertain few years, helping to reduce unemployment and increase economic independence.” 

Paul Breen, Managing Director of Living Space, said: “We are thrilled to have concluded all construction works at this impressive new partnership development. 

“It has been really rewarding to see residents move into the new homes but also local people secure employment opportunities on their doorstep throughout this development programme.”