Work begins as affordable housing scheme beats the clock
Work has begun to build 65 homes on a disused former football pitch on the outskirts of Birmingham, after a land deal was completed in the nick of time.
The Long Nuke Road scheme in Northfield is being developed by Staffordshire housebuilder Keon Homes – and will also include improved sports pitches and the construction of a new changing pavilion in nearby Senneleys Park.
Planning permission for the scheme was granted by Birmingham City Council in 2021, with the clock ticking to complete a deal prior to the expiration of the approval notice at the end of the year.
The development will be built on behalf of Bromford Housing Group, who will make 22 properties available for social rent, and a further 22 properties available for slightly more expensive “affordable rent” which will be allocated to people on the council’s housing waiting list.
The final 21 homes will be available for affordable home ownership and made available through Bromford’s shared ownership scheme.
Matt Beckley, partnerships director of Keon Homes, expressed relief at breaking ground on the 4.5-acre site – adding that the scheme had “defied the odds”.
“We have an extremely strong relationship with both Birmingham City Council and Bromford and this helped us unlock an especially difficult project at Long Nuke Road,” he said.
“We’ve defied the odds to amend planning, complete legals and deliver the vision for the site ahead of planning expiring – with the start on site being achieved just two weeks before the deadline. This project also has the full backing of Homes England.
“Together, we will build sixty-five, high quality affordable homes on a strategically important site in Birmingham, as well as creating a host of community facilities, including new football pitches and a pavilion.“
New changing facilities will be built in Senneleys Park, Birmingham. Credit: Keon
The former sports pitches on Long Nuke Road, which had a single football pitch but no changing rooms or car parking available to it, fell out of use in 2016 – with the city council deciding that improvements to pitches at nearby Senneleys Park would make up for the loss of the facilities.
Cllr Nicky Brennan, cabinet member for housing and homelessness, said: “Delivering more decent affordable homes for Birmingham families is a key priority for this council, and every single home on the Long Nuke Road development will be affordable.
“This deal with Keon Homes and Bromford shows what can be achieved by working in partnership with others and this is the third such deal we’ve signed with a developer and housing association this year.
“I urge all partners and stakeholders to work with us in bringing forward new sites and opportunities for affordable housing developments, so together we can rapidly increase the number of affordable, warm, safe, and energy-efficient homes available for Birmingham residents.”
Lyndon Parkes, head of land at Bromford, added: “Securing this site is a significant milestone for Bromford and reflects our commitment to tackling the housing shortage both in Birmingham and across the wider region.
“We are delighted to be working with Keon Homes and Birmingham City Council on this exciting development, that will deliver high-quality, affordable homes that will make a real difference to families who need a safe, affordable place to live. “
