Dev update – construction works begin and brand-new PRS scheme

Construction works on a new £19 million residential scheme in Nottinghamshire, led by property developer Taggart Homes, are set to begin in summer 2021.

Located in the old market town of Retford, in north Nottinghamshire, the development known as ‘Bracken Lane’ will consist of 71 two, three, four and five-bed properties ranging from £195,000 to £475,000.

Due to complete in winter 2022, the new homes will comprise different property types including detached and semi-detached – all finished with high specification fixtures and fittings throughout, as well as landscaped gardens.

The developer says properties will appeal to a varied demographic including first-time buyers, downsizers and families.

The Bracken Lane development lies within walking distance of the historical market town of Retford – offering a range of amenities including a town centre and an array of high street shops and independent bars, pubs and restaurants.

Homes at the scheme will be partially enclosed by established mixed native hedgerows and mature trees, with accessible links to local transport routes such as Retford train station and the A1 motorway nearby.

The development also sits adjacent to a primary school and is within the catchment area for several sought-after primary and secondary schools in the vicinity.

Michael Taggart, chief executive officer of Taggart Homes, comments: “Bracken Lane will be an attractive new development bringing high-quality homes to a desirable location in north Nottinghamshire.”

“The range of properties will suit all types of homebuyers - from first-timers, to families and those looking to downsize. As with all of our developments, high spec fixtures and fittings, quality materials and meticulous attention to detail are paramount and will make these homes a modern, wonderful place to live in a location that offers so much.”

“We are pleased that works are starting on this exciting development and look forward to seeing these high-quality homes take shape.”

Elevate appoints construction team to deliver Heaton House Lofts

Elevate Property Group is powering ahead to deliver 56 residential properties at the historic Heaton House Lofts in Birmingham’s Jewellery Quarter.  

Once complete in Q3 2022, the project will provide 14 townhouses, 42 apartments, 4,300 sq ft of commercial space and Heaton House itself – a 3,360 sq ft, four-bedroom dwelling.

During the past six months, Elevate Property Group has removed the derelict and redundant industrial buildings that had grown up around the 19th century Regency villa, Heaton House, over the past 200 years to reveal the original merchant’s home that gives the site its name.

The original Heaton House – home to a leading Birmingham merchant, William Cotterill – was buried in the expansion of Birmingham’s Jewellery Quarter and by the end of the century the Villa had been converted to form part of a large factory works.

Heaton House, during its refurbishment programme, will provide a marketing suite and show home for buyers wishing to see the quality and finish delivered by Elevate Property Group, while construction of the new build properties is underway.

Kavannagh Construction has now begun work on the site. Based in Kings Heath, Birmingham, the company has over two decades of experience in delivering residential and commercial schemes.

Previous projects include the £2.2 million refurbishment of 11 luxury apartments at 151 Great Charles Street, Birmingham, the construction of an additional six classroom block extension at Sutton Coldfield Grammar School for Girls, and residential schemes at Park Mews, Solihull, The Chase, Sutton Coldfield, in Marshall Street, Birmingham city centre, and Maple Croft in Kings Heath.

Aiden O’Gara, director of Kavannagh Construction Ltd, says: “We have watched the rise of Elevate Property Group as a major force at the premium end of city centre living in Birmingham and so we are delighted to have won our first contract with this fast expanding company.”

“We are proud to have successfully delivered a range of construction schemes, from large multiple unit residential new builds to one-off prestigious residential builds, as well as a range of commercial sector schemes.”

He adds: “We look forward to delivering Heaton House Lofts to the highest professional standards and completing our first project for Elevate Property Group on schedule and on budget.”

James Costello, development director of Elevate Property Group development, comments: “We have worked hard to find an imaginative and productive use for a site that has lain largely derelict and dormant for decades.”

“We look forward to working closely with Kavannagh Construction to deliver another much-needed quality residential scheme close to the city centre.”

Works begin on £9.7m retirement build in High Wycombe

National contractor Stepnell has begun work on-site at Lifestory Group’s new £9.7 million independent living community for over-60s in Woodburn Green.

The Wooburn Green project has commenced in two stages, with enabling and demolition works previously carried out by Stepnell’s southern team in November 2020 following a successful two-stage tender process.  

The four-storey building – which is due to complete in August 2022 and will be home to 44 high-specification apartments and a communal lounge – will also benefit from external landscaping and a 37-space car park.  

Rob Speirs, regional director at Stepnell, comments: “We’re incredibly excited to be supporting Lifestory to expand its offering across the region.”

“This is our second project with the client after successfully completing Moor’s Nook in Woking, so it’s great to see that we’ve managed to secure yet another development with the business by providing a high-quality service.”

With the site surrounded closely by neighbouring homes, the team at Stepnell plans to prevent disruption through carefully considered crane and material delivery times, as well as engaging with the local community to keep them updated on work progress.

Speirs adds: “We will also be helping to stimulate the local economy by employing labourers and subcontractors from the surrounding area to work alongside our southern team.” 

The project is expected to help the community to reduce its carbon footprint following Stepnell’s installation of ground source heat pumps and non-conventional gas boilers, which will provide customers with access to sustainably sourced utilities.  

Sallyanne George, Lifestory Group's development manager for this project, adds: "Having worked with Stepnell successfully before, it's great that the team is now involved in helping create our latest scheme in Wooburn Green.”

“Stepnell’s appointment as our main contractor reflects the quality and competitive nature of its approach to building this development.”

She concludes: "The team has already made real progress on-site and our existing working relationship will only make seeing the creation and completion of this development that bit easier, whatever challenges come up on the journey." 

Cube Homes launches PRS scheme in Levenshulme, Manchester

Profit-for-purpose developer Cube Homes is set to launch the first phase of its new private rental scheme The Curve in Levenshulme, Greater Manchester.

Occupying a prominent position on the Kingsway, The Curve is a brand-new development with 27 quality one and two-bedroom apartments designed to a high specification with spacious open-plan living accommodation and contemporary fittings.

Each apartment benefits from its own cycle storage space, allowing access to the Fallowfield Loop, and providing ‘fantastic’ connections via road or rail into Manchester and further afield.

Solar panels and access to electric vehicle charging points add to the block’s green credentials.

The Curve adds to Cube Homes’ growing development portfolio in the region, which includes Fairways View and the recently launched Water Mill Gardens – both residential developments in Prestwich.

The new apartments come at a time when renters are reported to be pouring back into cities while lockdown eases, benefitting from rental savings of an average of 7% in Greater Manchester, according to Rightmove.

Chris Heath, managing director at Cube Homes, comments: “The Curve offers renters a fantastic new offering in the sought-after area of Levenshulme in south Manchester, close to Manchester city centre.”

“With apartments built with modern lifestyles in mind, our homes are high quality, low carbon, affordable and sustainable, giving residents a great choice and the ease and security that comes with a new build home.”

“We expect great demand for these homes with hotspots around the city centre seeing a surge in rental enquiries,” he adds.

Cube Homes is the private arm of Great Places Housing Group, which provides affordable homes, social housing and supported accommodation for some of the North West’s more vulnerable.

The firm is profit-for-purpose, meaning the profit created feeds into charitable activities in the wider business. Setting aside funding for private rental accommodation ensures longer-term financial stability, helping to feed more funds back into the company’s charitable endeavours.

One and two-bedroom apartments are available to rent from £695 per month. For further details, contact lettings agent Plumlife on 0161 447 5151 or rent@plumlife.co.uk.