Delivering 90 new-build affordable homes for Sandwell Council

An additional 90 new-build social homes are being added to Sandwell Council’s housing stock on two sites in the West Midlands.

Construction has started on 27 new-build social homes on a brownfield site off Reservoir Road, Rowley Regis, which was formerly occupied by two high-rise tower blocks.

The £5.1m development will comprise 19 two-bedroom homes and eight four-bedroom homes, including a mix of two-storey, semi-detached and detached housing.

In Tipton, 63 new social homes have been handed over to Sandwell Council. The £8.2 million development, located on Strathmore Road, makes 46 two-bedroom, eight three-bedroom, and nine four-bedroom houses available for affordable rent.

Seddon worked closely with Sandwell Council throughout the build stages of each developmentto design energy efficient, affordable homes for the two sites.

Both schemes make use of uPVC doors and windows, as well as insulated floors, walls, and lofts to help meet the council’s goals to lower energy costs for tenants.

The new homes in the two locations will go to those who need them most on Sandwell Council’s housing register.

Councillor Zahoor Ahmed, Sandwell Council’s cabinet member for housing, said: “We’ve invested around £70 million in the last three years as part of our ongoing programme to build hundreds of new council homes for local people.

“So far we’ve handed over the keys to around 370 new homes with more schemes in the pipeline.

“During the Covid-19 pandemic, we’ve continued to work closely with our construction partners – following strict Covid-safe guidelines – to continue building.”

Councillor Iqbal Padda, Sandwell’s cabinet member for regeneration and economy, added: “This is another great example of the council working with a partner such as Seddon to increase the quality and choice of council homes for Sandwell residents.

“Schemes like these are part of our wider housing development programme to increase the number of council-owned homes for rent. We have a continuing demand especially for family homes and bungalows.”

Rob Moore, business unit director at Seddon, said: “We have built a close partnership with Sandwell Council throughout the planning and delivery of both developments.

“It’s great to work alongside a forward-thinking organisation that is committed to increasing the quality and quantity of affordable homes, so they are available to the people who need them most.

“We can’t wait to reveal the finished scheme in Rowley Regis once it is ready for new tenants to move in.”

The scheme is set to be completed in summer 2022.