Commercial Feature: whg - Shaping places and building futures
At whg, we are proud to be at the forefront of housing development and community regeneration across the Midlands.
Our commitment to placemaking and being long-term investors and stewards of new communities has driven us to achieve remarkable milestones.
The year 2023/24 has been a record year for our development programme, with more than 500 homes delivered across 26 sites - our highest number over the course of our Corporate Plan.
We have expanded our offer into new local authority areas, such as Stourbridge, forged new partnerships with developers, and invested £74.9 million into building new homes.
The Royal Quarter: A new gateway to Wolverhampton
The Royal Quarter in Wolverhampton stands as a testament to our collaborative approach to regeneration. Working with our partners YMCA and Morro Partnerships we are transforming this area into a vibrant residential community with 450 new homes in total planned.
Nightingale House, set within the former Royal Hospital, officially opened in January within the converted former hospital. The scheme provides one and two-bedroom apartments for the over 55s, with communal living spaces and a wellbeing officer supporting residents to live independently for longer.
Planning permission has recently been granted to redevelop the nearby former SJ Dixon and Son’s site into 30 apartments for YMCA and 63 houses and apartments for whg on the surrounding land. This mix of housing ensures a diverse range of housing options and supports the long-term sustainability of the new community.
Metafin: Sustainability at the core
Our Lockside development in Walsall with partner Lovell Partnerships, located on the sites of the former Caparo steelworks and Metafin factory, has transformed the landscape with a 324 home canalside community. The development features our first fully EPC-A rated homes, marking a significant milestone in our sustainability journey. These 72 homes are among the most energy-efficient in the region, featuring photovoltaic (PV) panels for domestic electricity, air source heat pumps for hot water supply, and a state-of-the-art PV prioritisation distribution system. The homes not only represent our dedication to sustainability but also ensure that our customers have access to affordable homes that are warm and energy-efficient. As well as ensuring all our new homes are built to the highest levels of energy efficiency, we have also pledged to elevate all our existing homes to an EPC rating of C by 2030.
Placemaking and long-term stewardship
At whg, we believe that successful regeneration goes beyond building homes; it's about creating places where people can thrive. Our focus on placemaking ensures that our developments are not just housing projects but vibrant, sustainable communities. We are committed to being long-term investors and stewards of the communities we create, ensuring they remain desirable and supportive environments for generations to come.
For more information about our projects and partnership ethos, visit whg.uk.com
