Work starts on £4m Stafford homes project

Stafford and Rural Homes (SARH) is building 35 homes and apartments at Exeter Street, due to be completed later this year.

It follows the wider £10 million transformation of the Penkside area of town which has seen the refurbishment of more than 300 homes as well as shops across six streets.

When completed the latest development will provide seven one bedroom apartments; five two bedroom apartments; and 24 two, three and four bedroom houses for rent. All have been designed to blend in with the wider regeneration scheme called Total Place.

Chief executive Karen Armitage, said: "This really is a landmark project that re-enforces our commitment to providing quality, affordable homes to meet local needs.

"At the same time it is providing a real focus for the regeneration of one of the town's best known neighbourhoods on a key route into Stafford.

"As part of Total Place, SARH has already refurbished hundreds of homes alongside a host of other works to improve the local environment. This new-build will complement all that's already been done to transform the neighbourhood into an area the community can be proud of."

"I'm delighted to see that work is progressing well on site and we're all looking forward to working closely with the developer Jessup Brothers through to the completion of this ambitious project, an occasion that's set to prove to be one of the highlights of our 10th anniversary year."

Clive Jessup, managing director of Jessup Brothers, said: "We are delighted to be working with SARH on this exciting scheme in Stafford to provide 35 new affordable properties.

"This scheme continues our partnered approach where Jessup accesses grant funding from the Homes and Communities Agency. The development will provide further opportunities for our apprentices to develop their skills and help support our local supply chain.

"All of the homes will be energy efficient and built in a traditional style."

Stafford borough councillor Jeremy Pert, cabinet member for communities, added: "Stafford is forecasting a growth in population over the next few years and we need to build the housing in advance to cover this growth. This needs to be a balanced mix of housing for different family sizes, householder ages and types of tenure.

"This latest development by SARH helps to offer that choice to people in the borough.

"This will benefit more than just the people living in these new properties and offers not just well designed houses but also a vision for this neighbourhood for the future and a place where people are proud to live."