Redrow acquires 1,100 homes site in Tamworth

Tamworth-based Redrow has committed to building in its home town for the next decade after acquiring a landmark site with permission for 1,100 homes.

The award-winning homebuilder has acquired the 60-hectare former golf course site from Tamworth Borough Council.

The golf course, off Eagle Drive in Amington, closed in October 2014 and is just minutes from Redrow’s regional headquarters at Kinsall Green.

The land already benefits from outline planning consent and Redrow is now progressing reserved matters applications for the phased development of the site to provide much needed new homes.

Along with the new homes, Redrow has committed to invest £14 million in the local area, including contributions towards the cost of building a new primary school and the creation of a new community woodland.

It will also boost jobs in the area. The Home Builders Federation says the scale of employment supported by house building is equivalent to 4.3 direct, indirect and induced jobs per home.

Matthew Pratt, regional chief executive for Redrow Homes said: “We’re really excited to have acquired the former golf course site. It represents a long term investment in the Tamworth area and is one of the biggest schemes we’ll be working on in the Midlands for the foreseeable future. It’s great news for the region as industry figures suggest that outside London, the West Midlands is the area with the most jobs supported by housebuilding and this site has the potential for 10 years of production.

“While we will be recruiting additional staff to enable us to build the homes, the scheme will support jobs in the supply chain and in local businesses.”

Tamworth Borough Council’s Cabinet member of Economy & Education, Cllr Steve Claymore said: “I am delighted that Tamworth Borough Council has been able to agree the sale of the former golf course site with local homebuilder Redrow. The development of this prestigious site will not only play a major part in the supply of Tamworth’s housing needs but also provide jobs and boost to the local and to the wider West Midlands economy.”

A total of around 25 hectares of land will be retained and enhanced as public open space.

Matthew explained: “We’re committed to ensuring our developments are sustainable and will be investing heavily in the local area for the benefit of the wider community. For example, we’ll be making contributions to the improvement of existing sports facilities, plus we’ll be creating Tamworth’s first community woodland and extending the Hodge Lane Local Nature Reserve and creating a cycling and pedestrian network through the site.”

Redrow will also finance more than £4 million worth of improvements to secondary and sixth form education, a new bus service between the development and the town centre, create a travel plan and fund other highways improvements.

Redrow’s plans for the site include two different styles of traditional looking homes – properties from its Arts & Crafts inspired Heritage Collection, along with designs from the Regent Collection of Georgian influenced properties. A total of 20% of the site will be affordable homes.

“We’re now drawing up detailed plans for the phased development of the site and anticipate that we’ll be submitting the first reserved matters application in February/ March,” Matthew said.

“Subject to planning permission we aim to start work on site in the autumn.”

Redrow is already building new homes in Tamworth at Pennine Grange, on Pennine Way. For more information see redrow.co.uk/pennine.