SUMMER START PLANNED FOR ENERGY EFFICIENT NEW HOMES IN BEWDLEY

NEW homes in Bewdley will be powered by air source heat pumps in a first for Elan Homes.

The homebuilder is preparing to start work to deliver new homes on Stourport Road.

The business acquired the 8.25-acre site last year with outline planning for 100 homes. Reserved maters planning consent for 79 homes has now been  granted by Wyre Forest District Council.. The scheme will bring more than £380,000 of investment in the local area including a biodiversity offsetting contribution of almost £41,000 for the provision and management of meadow grassland at Burlish Meadows parkland.

Head of Land at Elan Homes Midlands, Ben Jowett said: “There’s been a lack of new homes built in the Bewdley area for some time and our development will help address this. We worked closely with Wyre Forest District Council before submitting our reserved matters application for the site. The housing mix addresses demand as identified in the council’s local housing needs survey. There’s a good selection of properties including two and three-bedroom homes, while also catering for growing families who want to be in the catchment area of local schools.

“We’re looking forward to starting work on site in the summer on what will be the first Elan development where every home will have an air source heat pump to provide heating and hot water, rather than a gas boiler. We’ll also provide electric vehicle charging for each home.”

There will be 59 private sale homes across the development with two to five-bedrooms, including two self-build plots.

The housing mix will include 13 homes for social rent, offering a choice of one to three-bedroom properties including three bungalows, and seven shared ownership homes with two to four-bedrooms.

A dozen homes across the development will be built to be accessible and adaptable for later living or people with disabilities.

The homes due to be released for sale next winter. It’s anticipated that the first residents will move in during spring 2025, with the overall development due to be completed by the end of 2026.

“Along with contributing to housing targets by delivering much-needed new homes, schemes such as this benefit the wider community by providing employment, boosting investment and generate tax income for local authorities,” Ben added.

“Elan will invest more than £340,000 in the local community in Bewdley via section 106 contributions agreed during the planning process. Almost £220,000 is earmarked for education; there will be a health contribution of almost £40,000; funding of almost £55,000 towards highways and traffic measures; plus, more than £30,000 in sports facilities contributions.”

There will be areas of open space for residents to enjoy, with 40% of the development classified as “green infrastructure”. Elan will plant 77 new trees within the development.

A Locally Equipped Area for Play (LEAP) will be provided with 12 pieces of equipment, suitable for all ages and abilities. These will include train-shaped items giving a nod to the neighbouring Severn Valley Railway Line.

Elan is currently building and selling homes in the Worcestershire town of Abberley.

The company’s previous developments across the county include Merrybrook Grange in Evesham, Derrington Mews in Kempsey, Walcot Meadow in Drakes Broughton and Stableford, just two miles from Worcester city centre.

For more information about Elan see http://www.elan-homes.co.uk