Work has concluded on a £5.5m project to build 45 new affordable homes in four locations across Coventry.
The development adds to the affordable housing portfolio of one of the UK’s most trusted social housing providers, Citizen, which owns and manages more than 30,000 homes for diverse communities across the West Midlands.
Seddon managed the design and build of the 45 traditional, new-build homes for affordable rent and shared ownership.
Four individual site programmes were completed independently over 12 months, though interlinked to streamline processes and minimise disruption to the community. This was done by implementing processes like coordinated delivery times, allowing each of the sites to stock sufficient materials to get each job done on time and in budget. A total of seven houses and two flats were completed by Seddon at a site on Overdale Road, including the demotion of 30 existing garages.
The location of the Attoxhall Road site saw the construction of six affordable rent and four shared ownership homes.
During works at Edwin Rogers House, Wendiburgh Street, Seddon created seven affordable rent and four shared ownership homes, with the demolition of the existing buildings undertaken by Citizen prior to commencement.
At Harry Stanley House on Armfield Street, Seddon finalised 15 homes for affordable rent, again with Citizen handling demotion of existing buildings ahead of work starting on-site.
Seddon completed all associated external works and services across each site.
Director of Development at Citizen Richard Whittaker said: “At Citizen we are committed to building new, affordable and desirable homes across key locations across in the West Midlands. These sites in Coventry have been completed to the highest standard by Seddon, who are one of our framework partners, helping us fulfil the need for homes for rent or sale that people can truly afford.”
Joy Folami has moved into one of the homes after living in temporary accommodation. She said: “I am living here with my partner and four children. I love my house, as it’s in a lovely area that is quiet. It’s my own house and only my family have lived in it – we love that.”
Rob Moore, business unit director at Seddon, said: “Affordable homes have to be just that: available to the people who need them most in the places where they’re built. Our partnership-led approach to housing delivery is at the heart of what we do at Seddon. These four sites are part of a successful relationship we’ve built with Citizen, which is committed to addressing the issue of affordable housing head-on – an aim we embody at Seddon.
“Working closely with Citizen from the outset on any development, we are able to identify what types of homes are needed and bring them to people with minimal disruption, high craftsmanship and low cost.”
In December 2019, Seddon began an innovative £2.1m project for Citizen to turn unused space in existing buildings into 36 new social rent homes across Coventry, Birmingham and Worcester.
The overall partnership with Citizen sees Seddon deliver new build, planned refurbishment and specialist fire protection works throughout the Midlands.
It is intended to benefit the communities where projects are delivered; from local labour and apprenticeships to community projects and reinvestment into areas.
Working closely with its council and developer partners, Citizen builds 650 new homes a year.