The first residents have received their keys for their affordable energy-efficient new homes in Kingshurst.
Managed by Solihull Community Housing (SCH), the 25 newly built homes on the site of the former Mountfort pub form part of a much wider regeneration scheme being delivered by the Council to completely transform Kingshurst Village Centre.
The smart new development includes a mix of three and four-bedroom family homes as well as one-bedroom maisonettes, helping to meet the specific needs of the Kingshurst community. All of the properties have been designed with sustainability and energy efficiency in mind and built to minimise their environmental impact and provide residents with lower running costs.
As well as focusing on thermal efficiency in the build, each property is equipped with a range of low carbon and renewable technologies to help generate heat and power. In the place of traditional gas boilers, air source heat pumps have been installed. This low-carbon heating alternative takes warmth from the air outside and uses it to supply heating and hot water, even when temperatures get as low as -15C. Each home has also been fitted with integrated solar PV panels to provide additional power and an EV charging point.
Commenting on her new home, Kinghurst resident Steph said:
“I’m really thrilled with my new home and feel so lucky to be part of the Kingshurst community. I’ve lived in and around the area my whole life so it’s great to be so close to my friends and family. All of the energy saving tech means that I can easily keep on top of my energy use and will help keep my bills down. It feels like a fresh start.”
Once complete, the final scheme will provide a new mix of sustainable housing and modern retail space, centred around a brand-new community health and wellness hub.
Councillor Ian Courts, Leader of Solihull Council and Portfolio Holder for the Economy, said:
“It’s a proud moment to see the finished homes, knowing that they will have such a positive impact on the community.”
“Handing over the first sets of keys represents an important milestone in delivering on a much wider scheme that will totally transform Kingshurst, while helping to address the current shortfall of affordable housing in Solihull. This is just the start for us, but it marks a significant initial contribution to the 78 new homes envisioned in the Kinghurst Masterplan while finally bringing the long vacant Mountfort site back into use.”
Councillor Mark Parker, Portfolio Holder for Housing, said:
“Working with our partners we have transformed an ugly brownfield site to deliver much-needed new homes for the local community.
“The new homes have been built with the highest energy efficiency standards in mind and serve as an exemplar for what can be achieved for the rest of the scheme and elsewhere across the borough.”
Fiona Hughes, Chief Executive at Solihull Community Housing, said:
“We have worked closely with Solihull Council, local residents and key stakeholders to help shape the vision for a redeveloped Kingshurst Village Centre. It’s really exciting to see that vision start to be realised with the delivery of much needed, high quality sustainable and affordable new homes in Kingshurst.
“I’m proud of the efforts that have been taken to ensure they are as energy efficient as possible while utilising renewable and low carbon energy solutions. As we continue to see uncertainty in the energy market, measures like these will help protect our residents from the threat of fuel poverty while ensuring they have high quality, warm and efficient new homes.”
All of the properties built by national contractor Willmott Dixon have received an A rating Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) as well as Secured by Design - Silver accreditation from West Midlands Police.
Funding to deliver this initial phase of affordable house building was secured through Homes England’s Affordable Homes Programme and via the Government’s Brownfield Land Release Fund. Additional funding from West Midlands Combined Authority was also used for early design and development work.