Curo pledges to increase provision of affordable homes as work starts on its latest scheme

May 4, 2023
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Bath-based housing association and developer Curo has continued to invest in projects outside its home city by beginning work on a new scheme in Weston-super-Mare.

The 124-home development at Locking Parklands forms a key part of the regeneration of the former RAF Locking base on the edge of the seaside town, which will eventually become a new 1,450-home neighbourhood. 

When complete Curo’s scheme will include a diverse selection of housing types – and while most will be allocated for private sale, Curo said a significant number will be designated as affordable housing, available for social rent or shared ownership, so offering an accessible route onto the property ladder. 

The original planning requirements for the Locking Parklands mandated just 15% of the homes should be designated as affordable.

However, Curo said it had gone above this threshold and is working with the government’s development agency Homes England to increase the percentage of affordable homes on the site.

Curo CEO Victor da Cunha said: “At Curo we believe that everyone should have access to quality, affordable housing.

“So we are thrilled to have broken ground at Locking Parklands, where we are not only building homes for sale and rent but also providing much needed affordable housing. 

“With dedication and Homes England’s support, we are delighted to have increased the percentage of affordable homes on the site from the original planning requirement, demonstrating our shared commitment to creating thriving, sustainable communities for all.

“We take great pride in being able to contribute to the Weston-super-Mare community for the long-term benefit of both our future residents and local people.”

Curo manages more than 13,000 homes and builds hundreds of new properties a year.

Last year it secured £160.4m in partnership with an Essex-based housing association to build nearly 2,500 homes over the next five years under the government’s latest Affordable Homes Programme.

Curo is also working on a number of schemes in Bristol, including the 128-property Century Park scheme and 57-home The Willows regeneration scheme, both in Lawrence Weston, 32 affordable homes in the city’s Old Market district, and a 100% affordable housing development at Filwood, with 47 homes.

The company is best known in Bath for its flagship 700-home Mulberry Park development on former MoD land on the city’s outskirts.

Pictured, top, from left: Curo Sales Director Lisa Howells, CEO Victor da Cunha, Mayor of Weston-super-Mare Sonia Russé, and Curo construction director Simon Collins at a ceremony marking the start of work at Locking Parklands 

 

 

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