Bromford signs multi-million pound land deal

Bromford signs multi-million pound land deal

The housing association plans to build 200+ homes on the site 

Bromford Housing Association has announced its largest land deal to date.

The social landlord has signed a contract for a multimillion pound land purchase of a 19.5-acre site in Matson, Gloucestershire. 

Bromford plans to deliver over 200 homes on the land, which is close to the M5 motorway.

The site already has outline permission for 217 homes, which was granted by Gloucester City Council in April 2021. 

The association, which owns and manages more than 46,000 homes across the West Midlands and West of England, is aiming to submit a full planning application for a mixed tenure development comprising around 50% rental homes plus shared ownership and outright sale, to the city council by the summer.

Operations director Robin Smith said: “We’re thrilled to have secured this land which offers the promise of providing homes to hundreds of families. It’s our biggest land purchase deal to date and demonstrates our growing ambitions to invest in more large-scale projects which allow us to make a bigger impact in the community. 

“Over the months ahead we’ll be focused on drawing up plans to create a vibrant community of modern, energy efficient homes where our customers can thrive. Subject to planning permission, our in-house construction team will lead on the development of the site.

“This is a great start to the new year and we are also progressing further deals to secure even more land so we can continue to provide much-needed affordable housing across the region.”

The Matson site is less than a mile from Bromford’s previous biggest land purchase at Snow Capel, where planning permission was granted last year to build 180 new homes. Work on this site is due to start later in the year. 

The association’s in-house construction team has also started work on a 100-home development in Winchcombe, Gloucestershire during the past six months.

Bromford, which is the biggest social landlord in Gloucestershire, says its ambition over the years ahead is to reduce its reliance on section 106 agreements and to lead on more of its own developments – as with the land at Matson.

Stonewater acquires over 180 properties from Bromford Homes 

Stonewater acquires over 180 properties from Bromford Homes 

Social housing provider Stonewater is continuing its expansion with the acquisition of 186 properties from Bromford Housing Association. The purchase includes six for supported housing, 53 shared ownership properties and 127 homes for general needs.

The purchase further increases Stonewater’s presence in the region, where they already manage more than 1,400 properties across Coventry, North Warwickshire and Nuneaton and Bedworth.

The tenanted transfer follows a consultation period with residents during which no concerns were raised. The housing provider says it is committed to ensuring there is no interruption to service for existing residents.

Patrick Chauvin, executive director of assets, homes at Stonewater, commented: “We already own and manage a significant number of homes in the area, and we are always looking for new opportunities to provide high quality affordable homes and related services for people whose needs are not met by the open market.

“Everything we do at Stonewater is driven by our vision of enabling everyone to have the opportunity to have a place that they can call home and we are delighted to have reached an agreement with Bromford Housing to add these homes to our portfolio.”

Bromford’s strategic property planning manager, Jonathan Cooper, said: “We are delighted to have reached an agreement with Stonewater which marks the completion of our strategic goal to consolidate our presence in those communities where we are best placed to make a difference.

“Throughout this process, engaging with and empowering our customers has been our top priority. We firmly believe that this stock transfer is in our customers’ best interests, and we are confident that Stonewater will continue to build on the high standards of service which Bromford customers have come to expect.”

The newly acquired properties are being managed from Stonewater’s new hub in Coventry. Hubs are also being set up in Reading and Bournemouth as Stonewater plans to make being a home-based organisation a permanent move, following the switch due to the pandemic.