New car park and safer drop-offs for Orleton Primary School as part of new development

As part of a new housing development in Orleton, Herefordshire, housing association Connexus and construction partner Shropshire Homes have worked with Herefordshire Council to improve the car parking at Orleton Primary School. Local parents had longstanding concerns about dropping off and picking up their children from The Kings Road, with children often having to navigate between congestion and cars at peak times. Responding to these concerns, Connexus and construction partner Shropshire Homes worked with Herefordshire Council to pledge a new car park for the primary school as part of the new housing development.

The car park has 30 spaces for parents and teachers, with a further 6 spaces for minibuses. The new car park was completed and handed over to the school before the first residents moved into the new housing development.

Also included in the new development is a large public space, situated behind the car park and close by to the Primary School, which is an area that anybody can use to walk, exercise or play. 

The new housing development includes 14 Connexus properties, with 7 made available for social rent and 7 for Shared Ownership, and 25 homes made available on the open market. Shared Ownership is a government-backed scheme that offers residents the chance to buy a share of their home, paying a subsidised monthly rent for the remaining share, and can be a vital first step onto the housing ladder for prospective new house owners.

Adam Breakwell, Executive Headteacher at Orleton Primary School, said,

“The new car park has made a wonderful addition to our school, relieving traffic at the beginning and end of the school day and improving the safety of our pupils dramatically. You can really notice the difference when we hold events, which used to mean parents parking on the road and causing nuisance traffic delays. Connexus and Shropshire Homes have collaborated with the school to make tweaks to the original plans for the car park and open space, making sure it works perfectly for us. Our next step is to work with the Council to improve the nearby pedestrian crossing.”

Steve Agger, Interim Director of Property at Connexus, commented:

“This development is the perfect example of how Connexus works with communities, listening to their specific needs while delivering high-quality housing. With the collaboration of Herefordshire Council, Shropshire Homes and the Primary School itself, the school run will feel safer for parents and children.”

Councillor Ange Tyler, Herefordshire Council’s cabinet member for housing, regulatory services and community, said:

“It’s great to see that by working together partners on this scheme came up with a solution that suits the local community as well as developers and Herefordshire Council. This is an exciting, affordable development for Herefordshire that allows more of our residents to get on the housing ladder, even during the current cost of living crisis. My very best wishes to those moving into their new homes in Orleton.”

Richard Shackleton, Managing Director of Shropshire Homes, said:

“We are pleased to be working with Connexus, Orleton Primary School and the wider community in Orleton in delivering this fantastic development of much needed affordable housing, safe access and parking for the school together with a range of market housing from three bedroom semi-detached to five bedroom detached homes. This select development will add greatly to this vibrant village and we look forward to welcoming the first residents in the coming weeks.”