Staffordshire developer's housing scheme scoops 'deal of the year' award
Burntwood housing developer Keon Homes was celebrating after their work on an iconic Birmingham brownfield site was recognised at an industry awards event.
Earlier this month, work on Birmingham's stalled £35million Icknield Port Loop housing scheme was restarted after a land deal to buy back part of the site from a failed developer, with 124 new homes set to be delivered in the latest phase of the project.
Work has now started on building the two, three and four-bedroom homes, alongside a small apartment block that straddles the canal corner and will be sympathetic to the heritage of the site.
The deal to unlock the scheme, driven by Keon Homes, Cameron Homes and long-term partner Midland Heart, was praised by judges at Insider’s West Midlands Property Awards before scooping the Property Deal of the Year award for unlocking phases 3A, B and C of a site that had been stalled for more than three years following the collapse of modular housing company Ilke Homes.
The £35m Port Loop scheme, which is being driven by Keon Homes, Cameron Homes and long-term partner Midland Heart, was praised by judges for unlocking phases 3A, B and C of a site that had been stalled for more than three years.
More than 300 people crammed into the Eastside Rooms in Birmingham to hear how the Burntwood-based developer is creating homes that will be "spacious and zero carbon ready", incorporating electric heating, hot water heat pumps and generating localised electricity through solar panels.
They also learned more about the complexity of the deal, which had to be land-led and tapped into the collective strengths of the three partners to give the local authority peace of mind that the scheme was in safe hands after two previous stalled attempts.
“This was a very important deal for the business, so for it to be recognised by our peers is a very special feeling," said Richard Williams, Managing Director at Keon Homes.
“Port Loop is so important to the affordable housing scene in the city and this particular development proves what can be achieved when the right partnerships are in place and everyone pulls in the same direction, bringing their own specialist skills and knowledge to the table."
The company says more than 50 people in the supply chain will be working to build 21 units for shared ownership sales and the remainder for social rent, ideal for local people, young couples and families.
