Work starts on new affordable homes in Marton
Work has started on ten new affordable homes at Marton in Shropshire. The homes are being built by SJ Roberts Construction on behalf of Connexus.
The start on site was marked by Shropshire Councillor Heather Kidd who presented representatives of SJ Roberts Construction and Connexus with a date brick which will be installed later in the development.
The one-, two- and three-bedroom homes will be a mix of social rent and shared ownership and will sit alongside an existing Connexus development of six homes on the outskirts of the village.
They will each benefit from energy efficient features that include air source heat pumps and electric vehicle charging points, while the wider development will be planted with native trees and shrubs to protect and improve existing ecological habitats.
Bird and bat boxes will be installed across the site, and hedgehog fencing will be used to allow hedgehogs and other small mammals to move around safely. A public space for use by the whole community will also be created.
Amanda Knowles, head of development at Connexus, said:
“Affordable housing is so important to the sustainability of rural villages, and we’ve worked very closely with Shropshire Council, the local councillor, and the community in Marton, to plan a development that will truly meet the local housing need.”
Matthew Roberts, Construction Director at SJ Roberts Construction, commented:
“We are immensely proud of the reputation that we’ve built for working with social landlords like Connexus and take our role in delivering these homes very seriously. This development is particularly special to us as it’s located just one mile down the road from our headquarters so it’s entirely feasible that we’ll know some of the future residents.
“The need for affordable homes in rural communities is well documented, but it’s not simply a case of building houses. These homes need to be places where the local community wants to live, and the inclusion of energy efficient and ecological features certainly enhances that appeal.”
Councillor Heather Kidd, Shropshire Council said:
“I am delighted to see more homes being built in Chirbury and Worthen Division. Private rents are now so high here that they are forcing people to move away from family, friends and their jobs. Being a mix of social rent, and homes to part buy gives opportunities to many local people they would not normally have. They will hopefully help keep Chirbury school and nursery school thriving too.”
