Curo News

New blue plaque celebrates Bert Abrams

Tue, 03 Feb 2026 12:38:04 Z

Curo is delighted to help honour the work of Knowle West community hero, Bert Abrams. A blue plaque, recently unveiled by Deputy Lord Mayor of Bristol, Cllr Andrew Varney, as part of a new affordable housing development, celebrates his decades-long commitment to youth work.

The blue plaque stands at the entrance to Curo’s 100% affordable Broad Plain development and the newly dedicated Bert Abrams Close. The site was previously the home of Broad Plain Boys’ Club, of which Bert was a leading light.

Arthur “Bert” Abrams MBE (1912-1995) was a passionate advocate for young people and dedicated his life to improving their lives. His commitment to the Broad Plain club was truly remarkable – serving in various roles from 1926 to 1978. He was also instrumental in setting up a number of other youth clubs across the city.

Bert also served with distinction on Bristol City Council and represented Hengrove Ward as a Labour councillor for 27 years. Bert’s youth work was recognised with an MBE in the Queen’s Birthday Honours List of 1976.

We’re delighted to help celebrate Bert’s amazing story and would like to thank Bristol Civic Society and Filwood Chase History Society for helping to make it happen.

The new development offers 47 affordable homes for the local community and comprises one, two and three-bedroom flats, maisonettes and houses, 31 of them offered for shared ownership purchase.

Demolition countdown for Tintagel Close

Tue, 25 Nov 2025 22:02:56 Z

1970s Keynsham estate to be knocked down in early 2026
A transformed liveable neighbourhood of affordable homes to follow

Keynsham residents found out more about Curo’s plans to regenerate the Tintagel Close estate at a public meeting recently, with demolition of the 1970s development confirmed for early next year.

Attendees at the event on 19 November learned about progress at the site, which was recently fenced off for removal of fixtures, fittings and utilities. They were also updated on plans for the controlled removal of asbestos from across the development in the coming weeks.

Curo, working with development partner EG Carter, secured planning permission for the scheme in March 2025. It will provide 45 modern, energy-efficient affordable homes for social rent and shared ownership.

The development will feature a mix of homes with one to four bedrooms, with several adapted for wheelchair use. Each home will have its own private entrance, designated parking and electric vehicle charging point.

The new scheme promises an attractive, liveable neighbourhood that’s better integrated with the surrounding community. A new access road will open up the area amid landscape improvements and accessible open space.

Sarah Maylor, Curo’s Director of Development, said, “I’d like to thank local residents for their involvement in the design of this exciting new scheme - their input has been crucial.

“Like them, I’m looking forward to seeing this site transformed. The new neighbourhood will enhance the local area and offer its residents a great place to live.”

The majority of homes in the fully affordable development will be available for subsidised social rent, typically 40% below the market rate. These will be offered through Bath & North East Somerset Council’s lettings system, HomeChoice. The remainder will be available for shared ownership purchase.

Housing Summit 2025

Thu, 17 Jul 2025 11:19:55 Z

Bath & North East Somerset councillors pledge to work across party lines in UK first

The region’s housing crisis was under the spotlight, as more than 150 policymakers, activists and industry figures came together at the second annual Bath and North East Somerset Housing Summit.

The summit saw leaders from across the political spectrum commit to improve the supply of affordable homes in the area. Their signing of a first-of-its-kind housing accord establishes a commitment to work together, across party lines and beyond individual council terms, to create long-term change.

The commitment was signed against the backdrop of unprecedented housing costs and levels of homelessness in our region. Attendees heard that in some parts of Bath, average house prices stand at 18 times average salary. Renters on the open market can expect to spend about 40% of gross average earnings on housing.

The human cost of the housing crisis was a central theme of the event. Wayne Hemingway MBE, a passionate campaigner for affordable housing and founder of advocacy group, Housing Assembly, led a panel discussion of local young people priced out of housing in Bath.

He also read entries from the new Housing Assembly website, which was officially launched at the summit. The site, thehousingassembly.co.uk, offers a platform for people locked out of the housing system and collects evidence of its dysfunction to build the case for urgent change.

He shared Bethany’s story who, though she works, is forced to sleep in her car. She describes herself as a mentally vulnerable woman and says, despite her dire situation, has no hope of accessing social housing.

On signing the landmark housing accord, Councillor Kevin Guy, Leader of Bath & North East Somerset Council, said:

“Only by working together and putting politics aside can we truly start to address a broken housing system. This accord is a turning point. It shows that no matter our political differences, the signatories are united in our commitment to deliver the right homes in the right places, for our communities across Bath & North East Somerset.

“We believe that through co-operation and innovation we can do our bit to urgently address the broken market and deliver more, truly affordable homes in our area. The housing crisis demands bold, long-term thinking—and today we’ve taken a major step forward together.”

The West of England Mayor, Helen Godwin, who also addressed the conference said:

“Tackling the housing crisis is not something any single organisation or political leader can achieve alone. By working together across authorities, and with government, we will build the right homes in the right places, with the services and infrastructure that local people need and deserve.

“We are already working with Homes England and Bath & North East Somerset Council to support work to deliver new homes at Bath Quays and along the Bristol to Bath strategic growth corridor. This new Housing Accord commits us all to further strengthen those partnerships, working together to solve this housing crisis.”

Reflecting on the success of the event, Victor da Cunha, CEO of Curo and Chair of the local Housing Mission Delivery Board, said:

"Bath & North East Somerset has become the first council in the country to sign a cross-party housing accord - we shouldn't underestimate the significance of that. The shared vision of eradicating the housing crisis and providing people with quality homes they can afford will also help to release the economic potential of our region."

Collaborating to train the next generation of builders

Tue, 28 Jan 2025 10:00:00 Z

We’re proud to be working with local partners at Bath College and the University of Bath to help boost local skills in construction.

Construction is one of many industries crucial to the UK economy, but it’s also one of the hardest hit by recent labour shortages. In fact, it currently has the second-worst workforce shortage in the country. That’s why we’re committed to addressing this challenge by supporting local people into high-skilled jobs and sustainable employment.

Our employability service, Work Wise, connects local people with training and employment opportunities—including those at our flagship development, Mulberry Park. Since the site received outline planning permission in 2015, we’ve helped create 32 apprenticeships, 164 new jobs with local training, and 399 work placements in the community.

Over the last few months, we’ve welcomed students from the University of Bath’s Civil Engineering courses and Bath College’s Construction programme to Mulberry Park, giving them a first-hand look at a live construction site. These visits provide valuable insights into modern building methods and innovative design principles, showcasing the thought and care that go into creating neighbourhoods like Mulberry Park.

University of Bath students and lecturer, Gavin Knowles, in front of the latest phase of development

During the tours, students had the chance to see Phase 2 of Mulberry Park in progress. This next phase builds upon the existing amenities, which already include a primary school and community centre, and will soon feature shops and other facilities to enhance the neighbourhood even further.

Our Senior Site Manager, Alan Mapston, shared his thoughts: “It’s been fantastic to welcome students from Bath College and the University of Bath back to the site. Their enthusiasm for construction and architecture is always inspiring, and it’s rewarding to share our journey as Mulberry Park continues to grow. We’re proud to support future professionals in their learning and can’t wait to see the impact they’ll make in the industry.”

We’ve also had great feedback from our partners:

Gavin Knowles, Director of Studies in the Department of Architecture and Civil Engineering at the University of Bath, said: “We are always looking for interesting Civil Engineering projects in the local area, and the Curo team at Mulberry Park have been so accommodating in showing our students around the site with so much enthusiasm. A live construction site is such a valuable teaching tool and shows our future Engineers how building designs go together both physically and logistically. We’ve really valued this continued partnership.”

Karen Simmons, Employability and Engagement Officer at Bath College, added: “Visiting a live site and talking to experienced people already working in construction really helps to bring the learning to life and inspire our students on their future career journeys. It’s a valuable asset to our courses, and we are very grateful to be working with Curo.”

Curo granted planning permission for 38 new flats in Bristol

Fri, 13 Dec 2024 10:00:00 Z

Planning permission has been granted for the redevelopment of Holly House in Lawrence Weston, Bristol. This project will replace an outdated block of flats with 38 brand-new, energy-efficient homes exclusively for social rent.

(Proposed frontage of the Holly House redevelopment, showcasing modern design and improved landscaping)

Construction is set to begin in the spring, following the demolition of the existing flats on the site.

The redevelopment will provide a mix of one- and two-bedroom flats across three modern blocks. Each home will come with a private parking space ready for electric vehicle charging, a balcony, and secure bike storage with a maintenance rack. The homes will be allocated through Bristol City Council, with priority given to local residents.

To better serve the community, we’re including a small satellite office for colleagues on the site. The redevelopment will also improve the surrounding area with new pedestrian routes, a zebra crossing, landscaped communal gardens, and green spaces featuring wildflowers, bird boxes, and bat boxes. These additions will create a welcoming environment and support local biodiversity.

As part of our commitment to improving sustainability across our developments, the new homes will not use gas. Instead, they’ll rely on solar panels, air-source heat pumps, and energy-efficient materials, helping to reduce residents’ bills and support a greener future.

This redevelopment is part of a broader strategy for placemaking in Lawrence Weston, where we’ve already completed 44 affordable homes on neighbouring sites at the former Long Cross Inn and Rockwell Care Home. Together, these projects will deliver a total of 82 affordable homes for the area, addressing the growing need for high-quality housing.

(The site at Holly House, shown alongside the neighbouring Long Cross and Rockwell developments)

Directors comment

“We initially considered refurbishing the block, but the scale of work required led us to explore a more sustainable solution,” said Sarah Maylor, Director of Development at Curo.

“By working closely with Bristol City Council and local stakeholders, we’ve developed a long-term strategy to regenerate these homes, which are at the end of their useful life, and deliver new, high-quality homes for the community.

“We’ll be managing these homes for the long term, so we’ve put a great deal of thought into ensuring they’re well-built and designed to be places people can enjoy for years to come.”

Curo takes home six award wins in November

Mon, 25 Nov 2024 12:15:37 Z

We’re thrilled to announce a series of award wins this month, recognising our work in regeneration, landscape design, and community-focused housing development.

WhatHouse? Awards 2024

Mulberry Park, received a Bronze Award for Best Regeneration Scheme at the WhatHouse? Awards 2024. Once a Ministry of Defence site, Mulberry Park has been transformed into a vibrant community, with 700 homes, a central park, natural woodland walks, play spaces, and sensory gardens designed for everyone to enjoy.

[Image of Mulberry Park from the top of Bath]

Excellence in Landscape Architecture

We’re equally proud to have been recognised at the UK Property Awards, where our landscaping at Mulberry Park won Best Landscape Architecture in both the regional and national categories. This award follows our collaboration with The Landmark Practice. From green spaces and natural play areas to woodland pathways supporting local wildlife, these designs are at the heart of what makes Mulberry Park unique.

Andy Spargo, Director at The Landmark Practice commented:

“It is an absolute pleasure working with the team at Curo on Mulberry Park, winning these awards is recognition of a truly fantastic landscape led development that responds directly with the context of its surroundings and provides a legacy space for both people and nature.”

Bath Property Awards

Closer to home, we also won at the Bath Property Awards 2024, taking home three major awards:

Developer of the Year
Civic and Community Award
Winner of Winners

Judges praised the breadth and depth of our work, describing our developments as “thoughtful, impactful, and heavily engaged with the community.”

Chief Executive's statement:

Talking about the awards, Curo’s Chief Executive, Victor da Cunha, said:

“These awards reflect our team’s commitment to developing homes and places that genuinely serve the Bath community. We’re incredibly proud of our colleagues who come to work every day to shape the spaces that support our region’s future.”

“Curo is proud to distinguish itself by prioritising social impact over profit, reinvesting all our profits from development into new affordable, high-quality homes and improving our existing stock– rather than paying dividends to shareholders. Unlike other developers, our mission is driven by this commitment, ensuring all our developments become sustainable, thriving neighbourhoods”

New affordable homes

Thu, 21 Nov 2024 11:25:42 Z

We’re happy to announce that we have received planning approval for a large new residential development in Keynsham, located along Bath Road. This project will deliver 208 homes designed with energy efficiency, community living, and sustainability in mind.

The development will include a mix of 168 houses and 40 flats, with 62 of these homes designated as affordable housing. These will be managed by Curo, with 47 allocated for social rent and 15 available through shared ownership. All homes will be tenure-blind, ensuring no visible distinction between affordable and market-sale properties.

What to Expect

A mix of home styles: Ranging from two-storey houses with dormer windows to three-storey properties along the main route through the site and fronting the A4 Bath Road.
Green spaces and community amenities: The site will preserve part of the Green Belt, transforming it into allotments and an orchard, alongside generous landscaped areas for residents to enjoy.
Recreational facilities: Two new sports pitches will be provided—one dedicated to Two Rivers CofE Primary School and another open for public use. This builds on our commitment to supporting local young people, including our sponsorship of Keynsham Town FC’s under-13 team.
Sustainable transport links: Infrastructure upgrades include a new signal-controlled junction on Bath Road, pedestrian and cycle path improvements along the A4, and a long-awaited connection from Keynsham to the Bristol-Bath Cycle Path.

Supporting Keynsham’s Growth

This development represents a significant investment in the Keynsham community. In addition to delivering much-needed housing, we’ll contribute approximately £2 million through the Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL), with £300,000 directly supporting local initiatives in Keynsham.

Timeline

Spring 2025: Infrastructure work begins, including the new junction and cycle/pedestrian pathways.
Late 2025: Construction starts.
End of 2026: First homes expected to be completed.
2030: Full completion.

Director’s Statement

Stuart Smith, Director of Technical at Curo, said: “This project is a natural step in Keynsham’s continued growth and will include options for social rent and shared ownership for local people.

We're excited to create something that will genuinely benefit the town, providing the things Keynsham needs like highway improvements and more recreational spaces. We appreciate the support from Bath and North East Somerset Council and look forward to continuing to work closely with the community to make this vision a reality.”

First Family Moves into New Development at Locking Parklands

Thu, 15 Aug 2024 13:56:00 Z

A family of NHS workers are the first to move into their new home at Locking Parklands in Weston-super-Mare, marking the first completion at the development from Curo, the Bath-based housing association and housebuilder.

Locking Parklands will eventually comprise 124 homes, 33% of which will be affordable housing, including a mix of apartments and family houses, catering to a range of needs and budgets.

The Deepesh family, who work for the NHS, are thrilled with their new home. They commented, “After searching for our dream home for six months, discovering the show home at Curo was a turning point. We instantly fell in love with it and made the decision right away to secure our new home. The sales advisors were incredibly supportive and very customer-friendly, making the entire process enjoyable. We are very happy with our new home. The children have been particularly joyful since the move, and as any parent knows, if the children are happy, we are happy too."

"We were immediately drawn to the layout of Locking Parklands; it’s wonderfully peaceful and has a lovely green environment. It feels pleasantly rural yet remains close to essential services like the GP and surgery, which adds a lot of convenience."

This new development also provides community infrastructure, including a new GP surgery, primary and secondary schools, as well as local shops and workspaces. Prospective buyers can register their interest on Curo’s website: https://www.curo-sales.co.uk.

Lisa Howell, Sales Director at Curo, commented on the broader impact of the development: "We're thrilled to welcome the Deepesh family to Locking Parklands. This development is not just about building homes; it's about creating a community. With families like the Deepesh family, who contribute so much to our communities, moving in, we are confident that Locking Parklands will become a thriving part of Weston-super-Mare.”

“People often think of development as adding extra strain to local services, but this is a great example of the benefits new homes can bring to an area. We take care to think about integration into the existing community, facilities, public transport, public spaces and aesthetic character. We treat each site as a unique place and create attractive, thriving neighbourhoods that people love to call home."

Students at Parklands Educate Together Bury Time Capsule at Curo Development

Fri, 19 Jul 2024 16:56:25 Z

July, 2023 – Students from Parklands Educate Together partnered with Bath-based housing association and housebuilder Curo at their new development in Locking Parklands to bury a time capsule, celebrating a recent boost to their arts funding.

The school received a £1,000 donation from Curo to improve their speech and drama facilities, including the construction of a new stage, improving local children's access to art and culture.

To mark the moment, the students buried a time capsule at Locking Parklands. The event was attended by Curo colleagues, including Sales Director Lisa Howells and Head of Construction Paul Fackrell, as well as Principal of Parklands Educate Together Jeremy Hughes and local students.

Students seal the time capsule at a Locking Parklands show home

The students did a presentation featuring items they picked for the time capsule, each showing what life is like in 2024.

These items included newspapers, recent schoolwork and letters to their future selves. After sealing the capsule, the students took it to a spot in one of the many green areas of the development and buried it. The capsule won’t be dug up for another 50 years.

One student said, "It's exciting to think that in the future, people will open this capsule and learn about our lives today. This is our way of connecting with the future."

Students and headteacher Jeremy Hughes stand outside a Locking Parklands show home

Lisa Howells said, "Curo is committed to supporting the communities where we develop – we are long-term investors, managing our affordable housing on-site for many years into the future. Development often gets a bad rap in local communities because some other developers don’t stay invested in the long term in the way that we do."

She continued, “This time capsule symbolises our ongoing involvement in the area's growth and prosperity. We are proud to support this school and look forward to seeing more local children take up the arts – or even consider a career in housebuilding!”

This donation coincides with Curo's celebration of their first move-ins on the site, which offers 1, 2, 3, and 4-bedroom homes. This new development also provides community infrastructure, including a new GP surgery, primary and secondary schools, as well as local shops and workspaces. Prospective buyers can register their interest on Curo’s website: https://www.curo-sales.co.uk.

Peasedown St John Primary School receives donation from Curo

Wed, 03 Jul 2024 12:09:27 Z

The donation has been used to fund a new grounds area for forest school.

Curo has donated £2,000 to Peasedown St John Primary School, funding a brand-new conservation area. This space is now a hub for forest school activities, where students are learning about the environment and sustainability.

The donation was presented to the school by the Sales Team, and Councillor Karen Walker, Chair of Bath and North East Somerset Council and Independent Member for Peasedown. They were warmly welcomed by Ruth Noall, Head Teacher, along with the school’s dedicated 'Eco' and 'Nature' student teams, who proudly showed off their flourishing garden, including impressive rhubarb and tomato plants. "We want to crush, can and share these to help those in need," one student explained.

Jodie Winter, Sales Manager, said, "Curo is completely committed to supporting the communities that we develop in. We're going to be neighbours after all! It’s great to see the direct impact our contribution makes to the children's education and well-being. We look forward to doing more with the school as our development nearby progresses."

Councillor Karen Walker also commented on the importance of the project, "Peasedown St John Primary School is a major part of our community, delivering a very versatile education. I am happy to have been able to secure £2,000 funding from Curo for the children to enjoy a very much-needed conservation area on the grounds of their school. A big thank you to Curo!"

Ruth Noall, Headteacher at Peasedown St John Primary School says, "We are very grateful for this generous donation from Curo which has enabled us to dedicate a large area to conservation and gardening. This supports every aspect of our curriculum as well as enabling children to learn gardening skills. Thanks to this investment our gardening club has already achieved Level 1 for the RHS School Gardening Awards and are now working towards Level 2."

This donation comes as we prepare to build 51 new homes at Hawthorn Rise in Peasedown St John, of which 30% will be affordable housing. This includes 11 homes available at social rent and four homes accessible through the Shared Ownership scheme. Prospective buyers will be able to register their interest on the Curo website: https://www.curo-sales.co.uk/ to receive updates about this exciting new development.

Curo celebrates fourth consecutive quality awards win

Fri, 28 Jun 2024 12:21:00 Z

Breaking ground at Keyford Meadows in 2023 - from left to right: Paul Fackrell Head of Construction, Jim Dowling Chair of Selwood Parish Council, Victor da Cunha Chief Executive Officer, Councillor Ros Wyke Former Leader of Mendip District Council, Lisa Howells Sales Marketing Customer Care Director, Tom Duggan Senior Site Manager

Tom Duggan, Senior Site Manager at Keyford Meadows in Frome, has won the National House Building Council’s (NHBC) Pride in the Job Quality Award.

The NHBC Pride in the Job Awards spotlight the crucial role of site managers like Tom in ensuring that his site upholds strict safety measures while homes are delivered on schedule and to the very highest quality standards.

This achievement marks our fourth win in the competition since 2021. When asked about his win, Tom is quick to explain that “It is great to be recognised, but it really was a team effort between my site team and the contractors – all of whom did an outstanding job.'"

Tom oversees development at Keyford Meadows, just outside of Frome. In total, the development will include 139 homes for sale on the open market, ranging from 1-bed apartments to 5-bed family houses. Another fifty-nine homes will be delivered as affordable housing, including 47 homes for social rent and 12 for Shared Ownership.

Alongside nearly 200 new homes, Keyford Meadows will provide more than two hectares of green spaces, equivalent to about three football fields, creating a significant natural area for residents to enjoy. The homes are also designed to be environmentally friendly, achieving a 10% reduction in CO2 emissions compared to current building regulations.

More than 20% of the completed homes at Keyford Meadows are now occupied. If you're interested in learning more about the development, look at Curo’s sales website here: https://www.curo-sales.co.uk/keyford-meadows/ or call the Sales Team on 0345 140 5050.

Curo announces new street names in Frome

Wed, 22 Nov 2023 12:19:57 Z

Curo, the West of England housing association and housebuilder, has announced the street names for their Keyford Meadows development of 198 homes in Frome.

The announcement comes shortly after the launch of Curo’s new show homes at Keyford Meadows in October this year.

Last year, Curo invited Frome residents to take part in naming the new streets which will be created as part of the development.

More than 50 suggestions were received, and a shortlist was submitted by Curo to Mendip District Council for consideration, with the final decision being made by the council.

Most of the ten new roads have been named based on suggestions submitted by the Frome Civic Society. The names celebrate the historic uses and ownership of the land now occupied by Keyford Meadows. From “Haymakers Mead”, “Mowers Mead”, and “Graziers Mead” to “Spring Paddock”, “Keyford Farm Close”, “Oakley Way”, “Mow Barton” and “The Four Acres”, the names reflect, and help to preserve, the agricultural heritage of the area.

A map of the new streets at Keyford Meadows, North of Sandy’s Hill Lane

Curo has also named one of the roads "Keyford Orchards", a tribute to the orchards formerly located in the Northern section of the development.

Finally, Louise Nutley, a Frome resident, suggested the name "Meadows Reach", a charming addition that evokes a sense of calm and peacefulness in the neighbourhood.

A map of the new streets at Keyford Meadows, South of Sandy’s Hill Lane

Victor da Cunha, Curo Chief Executive, says: "We are incredibly proud to introduce these road names, each deeply rooted in the unique character, community, and heritage of our site.

"Our heartfelt thanks go out to local resident Louise Nutley and the Frome Civic Society, who have been instrumental in this process. Their contributions have helped us to choose names that resonate with a sense of place and history."

Keyford Meadows is located on Little Keyford Lane and will provide 198 new homes - 30% of which will be designated as affordable housing. With the first homes ready for move-in by early 2024, Curo has recently opened their two new show homes on site, to give visitors a taste of life at Keyford Meadows.

Curo breaks ground at Locking Parklands Phase 4

Mon, 17 Apr 2023 10:10:32 Z

Curo has begun works at a new 124-home development in Locking, Weston-super-Mare.

A special ceremony was held to mark the beginning of works on site. Attended by Councillor Sonia Russé, Mayor of Weston-super-Mare, alongside Curo CEO Victor da Cunha and a number of other Curo colleagues, the ceremony offered an opportunity to tour the site, and the group jointly participated in ‘breaking ground’ to signify the project's commencement.

Together, the group spoke about the next steps for the site, as well as the benefits the development would bring to the local Weston-super-Mare community. Victor da Cunha, also explained how, in the absence of any shareholders, Curo re-invests the profits from its sales into building more affordable homes.

Phase 4 at Locking Parklands forms a key part of the regeneration of Locking’s former RAF base – which will eventually become a new 1,450-home neighbourhood.

Upon completion, the brownfield scheme will deliver a diverse selection of housing types across 124-homes. The majority of these homes will be allocated for private sale, however, a significant number of the homes will also be designated as affordable housing, available for social rent or Shared Ownership, offering an accessible route onto the property ladder.

Originally, planning requirements mandated that only 15% of the homes at Locking Parklands Phase 4 be designated as affordable housing. However, Curo has gone above and beyond this threshold, and is working with Homes England to increase the percentage of affordable provision on site.

Future residents, and the wider Locking community, will also benefit from the opening of a series of a new amenities - including a brand new community centre, a doctor's surgery, a variety of shops, as well as a recently opened primary school, and a secondary school, being developed by a third party.

Victor da Cunha, CEO says, “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."

Council leader commemorates start of work at new major residential development in Frome

Thu, 26 Jan 2023 12:21:06 Z

Pictured above from left to right: Paul Fackrell Head of Construction, Jim Dowling Chair of Selwood Parish Council, Victor da Cunha Chief Executive Officer, Councillor Ros Wyke Leader of Mendip District Council, Lisa Howells Sales Marketing Customer Care Director, Tom Duggan Senior Site Manager

Curo has officially begun works on a new residential development in Frome.

The site, aptly named Keyford Meadows, is located on Little Keyford Road and will provide 198 new homes - 30% of which will be designated as affordable housing.

In total, the development will include 139 homes for sale on the open market, ranging from 1-bed apartments to 5-bed family houses. 59 homes will be designated as affordable housing, with 47 for social rent and 12 for the part-buy/part-rent scheme, Shared Ownership.

A short ceremony was held to celebrate the occasion, with Selwood Parish Council Chairman Jim Dowling, and Mendip District Council Leader Cllr Ros Wyke in attendance.

Cllr Ros Wyke, Leader of Mendip District Council, said: "This new development at Keyford Meadows is an exciting step forward for the community of Frome. Not only will it provide much-needed housing, including a significant amount of affordable options, but it rightly focuses on environmental sustainability.

“I’m pleased work on this project is underway, and look forward to seeing the finished development in the near future."

Keyford Meadows prioritises open space and biodiversity. The development will also include more than 2 hectares of green open space as well as biodiversity enhancement features, such as bat and bird boxes.

With the first homes ready for move-in by summer 2023, these will also benefit from CO2 emissions 41% lower than current Building Regulations. Many of the homes will be equipped with highly efficient air source heat pumps and photovoltaic solar panels.

Victor da Cunha, CEO of Curo, said, "We are thrilled to be officially starting construction of our largest housing development project in Frome. As a long-term social business, we build communities, not just homes.”

“Keyford Meadows is a project we are immensely proud of. We listened carefully to community feedback and retained the existing farmhouse, blending it in the design which also provides extensive open space, maximises affordable housing and delivers great ‘green’ credentials. When we begin to welcome new residents onto the development later this year, we feel sure they too will feel the same level of pride we do", he continued.

For more information about the Keyford Meadows development, please visit https://www.curo-group.co.uk/house-building/schemes/keyford-meadows-frome/

The Better Social Housing Review

Mon, 10 Oct 2022 11:17:01 Z

We’re partnering with The Better Social Housing Review to help gather insights and experiences about social housing in the South West.

The Better Social Housing Review was set up in June this year by the National Housing Federation and Chartered Institute of Housing to look at the issues and quality of social housing in England. By gathering as much feedback as possible from people and organisations with a stake in social housing, the project aims to make practical recommendations to Government, housing providers and other organisations about what improvements will make social housing in England better for everyone.

The review has brought together an independent and diverse panel of experts, all with direct experience of social housing. Together they have been travelling around the country speaking to tenant groups and customer-facing staff in their communities about their experiences in social housing and ideas on what could help improve it.

Curo are hosting the panel for a day in our area on 26 October at The Hub at Mulberry Park in Bath with a session for customers to get involved in the afternoon between 2-4pm.

If you’d like to come along to share your thoughts, experiences or ideas about how we could make social housing better, we’d love to hear from you. You can send us your details here VoiceBox@curo-group.co.uk and we’ll be in touch.

You can find out more about the review, the panel and its aims here: www.bettersocialhousingreview.org.uk

Works to start at £16 million affordable housing development in Bristol

Fri, 29 Jul 2022 09:19:46 Z

Image above: CGI of the 70-home development that will be delivered by Curo in Bishopsworth

Housing association Curo will start works this August to build 70 new affordable homes in Bishopsworth, Bristol, after securing planning consent for the site earlier this year.

Curo will work with contractor Vistry Partnerships at the £16.4 million development to deliver a mix of apartments and houses with one, two and three-bedrooms on one of the last remaining undeveloped plots of land of the former Imperial Tobacco Factory.

The scheme will provide 12 homes for social rent, 29 homes for affordable rent and another 29 homes for sale through the low-cost homeownership scheme, shared ownership.

The new homes will be fitted with air source heat pumps, a low maintenance and more environmentally friendly alternative to gas boilers. Homes for social and affordable rent will also feature photovoltaic solar panels, helping to reduce the future residents’ carbon footprint and energy bills. Electric Vehicle (EV) charging points will be available around the new neighbourhood, which will also feature a central area of green open space with trees, shrubs and natural wood play equipment.

Curo’s investment of just over £12 million will be completed with money from its Homes England strategic partnership grant allocation as well as a £700,000 grant from Bristol City Council.

Curo Chief Executive, Victor da Cunha, says: “We’re looking forward to building another 70 new affordable homes for local people in Bristol, where we’re already delivering nearly 300 homes across a number of development sites currently.

“This sustainable development will make a significant contribution towards a low carbon future for Bristol, while helping more families to live in high-quality homes either through affordable homeownership or life-long tenancies. The homes will also cost less to run, helping to tackle fuel poverty – especially important in these uncertain times with skyrocketing energy prices.”

With works beginning this month, Curo is looking to name the new development that will take shape over the next couple of years.

Victor says: “We’d really like to hear from local people about a name for our new housing development – we’re keen to choose an idea that celebrates the local area and its history and you can find out more about how to get involved and submit your suggestions at www.curo-group.co.uk/imperial-park.”

Bristol City Council Cabinet Member for Housing Delivery and Homes, Councillor Tom Renhard, says: “Our city continues to be gripped by the national housing crisis leaving many people without a safe and secure place to live. We must build more homes in the right places if we’re to meet the needs of the city and move people out of temporary accommodation.

“Bristol City Council is committed to building more affordable homes, quicker – that’s why, aside from our own building programme we’re also supporting our housing association partners with grants to help accelerate delivery of these much-needed new homes.

“I’m really pleased Curo is using this brownfield site to provide another 70 new sustainable and affordable homes for Bristol, helping to lift and improve the area for existing residents too, and drive investment in the local economy.”

Vistry Partnerships West Managing Director, Marc Thompson, says: “We’re delighted to work with Curo on this new development, building a wide choice of high-quality affordable homes in Bristol. This is an exciting opportunity to deliver a sustainable new community, with homes fit for the future that are more environmentally friendly and will lower costs for the families who’ll move here in a couple of years.”

All 70 homes are due to be completed by spring 2024.

Homes for social and affordable rent will be let through Bristol City Council’s Home Choice system, while shared ownership properties will be sold by Curo, who are encouraging people to register their interest at sales@curo-group.co.uk.

Bristol and South Gloucestershire councillors break ground on new affordable housing scheme

Mon, 18 Jul 2022 14:32:08 Z

From R to L: South Gloucestershire Cabinet Member for Regeneration, Environment and Strategic Infrastructure, Councillor Steve Reade, Bristol City Council Cabinet Member for Housing Delivery and Homes, Councillor Tom Renhard, Curo Deputy Managing Director of Housebuilding, Sarah Maylor, Clayewater Homes Land Director, Paul Madge, and Clayewater Homes Managing Director, Brian Webber.

Housing association Curo and contractor Clayewater Homes have officially started works to build 20 new affordable homes on the site of a former car garage at Soundwell Road in Bristol.

The £5.3 million brownfield development will deliver six homes for social rent and 14 homes for sale through the low-cost homeownership scheme, shared ownership.

The site straddles the administrative boundary between two local authority areas, with the official start of works being marked by Bristol City Council Cabinet Member for Housing Delivery and Homes, Councillor Tom Renhard, and South Gloucestershire Cabinet Member for Regeneration, Environment and Strategic Infrastructure, Councillor Steve Reade.

Councillor Tom Renhard, Bristol City Council’s Cabinet Member for Housing Delivery and Homes, says: “I’m delighted to break ground today with Curo on this site which will help more people in Bristol to move into energy efficient, modern affordable homes. Housing associations are key partners in building new homes for Bristol and we’re working with Curo on a number of other developments across the city where we’re supporting delivery of new affordable housing with grant funding.”

Councillor Steve Reade, cabinet member with responsibility for new housing at South Gloucestershire Council, says: “It is a pleasure to mark the start of this exciting scheme which will deliver high-quality, affordable housing within South Gloucestershire. Having a safe and secure, affordable home is a fundamental need for everyone, which is why we are delighted to be partnering with Curo to help even more of our residents have access to this type of home.

“We have a strong track record of affordable housing delivery, with South Gloucestershire regularly delivering more than 40 per cent of all new affordable homes in the West of England region built each year, as a result of us working with our housing association partners and developers.”

Featuring solar panels which will help to reduce future residents’ electricity bills, the one-, two-, three- and four-bedroom homes are being delivered thanks to a Curo investment of just under £4 million, alongside funding from the government’s housing agency, Homes England, and other grants totalling more than £1.3 million.

Curo Deputy Managing Director of Housebuilding, Sarah Maylor, says: “Bristol, like many other cities, towns and villages in our region, needs more good quality affordable housing and we’re pleased to play our part, alongside contractor Clayewater Homes, in building the homes local people need.

“Developments like this one at Soundwell Road can deliver much-needed inner-city regeneration of brownfield sites, helping to lift the area and provide new homes for local families at the same time. We’re working on other similar sites in Bristol, at Lawrence Weston, Old Market, Bishopsworth and Filwood and we’re always looking for new opportunities to build more affordable homes for local people.”

Homes at Soundwell Road are due to be completed by the end of 2023.

Tintagel Close to be redeveloped by Curo

Mon, 23 May 2022 11:07:49 Z

Housing association Curo has announced its intention to demolish and redevelop a block of 44 maisonettes at Tintagel Close in Keynsham, following a prolonged period of consultation with residents of the estate.

Curo has been working with residents at Tintagel Close since 2018 to understand the work that would be needed to upgrade the buildings and provide homes that are suitable for the future.

Initially it was believed that homes at Tintagel Close could be refurbished while the residents remained in their homes. However, following more detailed surveys as well as new government legislation on fire and building safety and energy efficiency, Curo decided to re-evaluate the project. It was decided that the demolition and redevelopment of Tintagel Close would be the best long-term solution.

Curo Chief Executive, Victor da Cunha, says: “The decision to proceed with the redevelopment of Tintagel Close was taken after careful consideration of all the options and following extensive consultation with residents who live there. It was always going to be impractical and extremely difficult to achieve the future standards of housing we, as a society, aspire towards – particularly from an environmental point of view – while the residents remained in their homes, and given the construction of the existing building. Our ambition now is to continue to engage with local residents to design homes that are fit for the future - homes that will be high quality in the broadest sense and that will fit in with their surroundings”.

Curo has been supporting residents at Tintagel Close over the past few months to find new homes in the local area and so far, 22 families have moved to a new property they have chosen.

Victor says: “We’ve put in place a complete support package for residents at Tintagel Close, including a dedicated liaison officer, funds to cover their moving costs and a one-off home loss payment. We will continue to work with families at Tintagel Close to help them find a new home they like, as we start to look to the future of the estate.”

Curo is now asking the local community to help shape plans for a future development. To take part, residents are invited to fill in this short survey by Sunday 5 June.

The feedback will help Curo design proposals for the site over the next few months. A second public consultation, in winter this year, will give local residents the opportunity to view and comment on the specifics of the project, including the number and appearance of homes and other details such as parking arrangements. Curo will use this further feedback to refine any proposals with a view to submit a planning application to Bath & North East Somerset Council early next year.

Residents living near the site and the wider community will be kept informed about the next steps at Tintagel Close including through updates via Curo’s website at www.curo-group.co.uk/tintagelclose-redevelopment.

Victor adds: “Our aim is to provide new affordable homes that meet local needs and integrate well within the existing neighbourhood. We’d really like to hear from residents at Tintagel Close and the local community in Keynsham about the future of this estate so we can understand what is important to them and use this knowledge in the design process.”

Bristol Cabinet Member for Housing impressed with progress of new homes in Lawrence Weston

Wed, 20 Apr 2022 11:01:47 Z

Image above (R-L): Homes England Head of Provider Management, John Kearney, Curo Head of Construction, Paul Fackrell, Curo Chief Executive, Victor da Cunha, Curo Health and Safety Manager, Andrew Culverhouse, Bristol City Council Cabinet Member for Housing Delivery and Homes, Councillor Tom Renhard, Homes England Senior Manager, Helen Bone, and Kensa Contracting Managing Director, David Broom, at Curo's development of 128 new homes, Century Park, in Lawrence Weston, Bristol.

Bristol City Council Cabinet Member for Housing Delivery and Homes, Councillor Tom Renhard, visited Curo’s Century Park and The Willows developments in Lawrence Weston to see the construction progress of 185 new homes for the city.

More than half of the new homes currently being delivered by Curo across the two schemes will be much-needed affordable housing for local families.

Cllr Renhard was accompanied on the visit by Curo Chief Executive, Victor da Cunha, and Homes England’s Head of Provider Management, John Kearney and Senior Manager, Helen Bone.

At Century Park, where Curo has already welcomed eight families this year, they visited the recently launched show home and saw how ground source heat pumps work. All homes at Century Park benefit from heat pumps, a greener, more environmentally-friendly way to provide domestic heating and hot water compared to gas boilers.

When completed, Century Park will deliver 128 homes in total, including 29 homes for social rent and nine homes for shared ownership.

At The Willows, where Curo is working with contractor Jehu Group to deliver the regeneration scheme, Cllr Renhard met James Beck, a local resident who is now employed as part of the building team on site.

Image above: Bristol City Council Cabinet Member for Housing Delivery and Homes, Councillor Tom Renhard (left) with Curo Chief Executive, Victor da Cunha (right) and Lawrence Weston resident, James Beck (centre), who is now part of the construction team at Curo's development of 57 new affordable homes at The Willows in Lawrence Weston, Bristol.

Due to be completed by the end of the year, The Willows will provide 38 homes for social and affordable rent and 19 homes for shared ownership. The project benefits from a Homes England grant of just over £2.8 million, alongside Curo’s investment of almost £5.7 million.

Curo will also refurbish an existing block of 12 apartments which will benefit from external panelling, new windows and new electricity supplies. The improvements will help reduce heating bills and increase comfort for residents.

Councillor Tom Renhard, Bristol City Council Cabinet Member for Housing Delivery and Homes says: “I’m impressed with the progress Curo is making in Lawrence Weston to deliver these much-needed new homes, while supporting the community and local economy. It’s fantastic that more than half of the new homes will be affordable housing, with many benefitting from low carbon ground source heat pumps. This will help many local families to live in good quality, future proof homes which will also support our city to move to closer to its net zero carbon ambitions.”

Image above: Representatives from Curo, Bristol City Council, the government's housing agency Homes England and contractor Jehu Group at Curo's development of 57 new affordable homes in Lawrence Weston, The Willows.

Victor says: “These new affordable homes will change the lives of many families struggling to take a first step on the property ladder or rent affordably in the local area. But our homes for sale are also helping young couples to achieve their homeownership dreams close to their families and friends – the majority of our new residents at Century Park so far are people under 35 years of age from Lawrence Weston, Shirehampton, Avonmouth and Brentry and most have purchased their homes with Help to Buy, available only on new-builds.

“Our developments in Lawrence Weston are great examples of partnership working between a housing association, the local authority and the government’s housing agency. We worked closely with Bristol City Council to secure the sites, while Homes England grant funding is making it possible for us to deliver a 100% affordable housing scheme at The Willows.”

Housing association Curo and contractor Jehu inspire Bristol’s next generation of builders

Thu, 07 Apr 2022 06:45:04 Z

More than 60 children from Oasis Academy Bank Leaze in Lawrence Weston, Bristol, visited the nearby affordable housing development at The Willows to learn about construction in a fun-filled session organised by housing association and housebuilder Curo and contractor Jehu Group.

Children from Nursery and Reception had the opportunity to see how plant machinery works, including a crane raising timber frames and excavators digging foundations for the new homes. They also learnt about roofs, what they’re made of and how they are installed on new build homes.

But by far the children’s favourite activity was trying their hand at bricklaying, with help from contractor DTM Brick N Stone. Every pupil had the chance to help build a brick wall, with varying degrees of success.

Oasis Academy Bank Leaze teacher, Mrs Georgina Fitz-Gerald, says: “This has been such a fantastic activity for the children, and we’re grateful to Curo and Jehu for helping us to inspire future generations of professionals as part of the current term’s Early Years Foundation Stage topic, ‘when I grow up’.

“The trip was a great opportunity for children to learn about the different construction trades involved in building a house in a practical way, outside of the traditional classroom setting. Pupils and teachers alike, we’ve all had a brilliant day and I’m sure we’ll be talking about it for months to come!”

Curo is currently building 57 new affordable homes with contractor Jehu Group at The Willows development, at Corbet Close in Lawrence Weston, Bristol.

Curo Deputy Managing Director of Housebuilding, Sarah Maylor, says: “It was wonderful to welcome pupils from Oasis Academy to our development to show them the fun side of construction in a safe environment. We loved seeing them engage with all the hands-on activities and hope that we’ve been able to stir up their interest in these highly skilled and very rewarding trades that make up the housebuilding sector.”

Jehu Group Site Manager for The Willows, Tomasz Magiera, says: “We’re delighted to work with Curo at The Willows in Lawrence Weston – together we’re not just building new homes, but also investing in the local economy and skills and supporting communities.

“It was great to see so many young children getting excited about construction and we’re pleased that we were able to put a smile on their faces and make this experience possible for them.”

This is the third time Curo and Jehu Group have partnered with Oasis Academy Bank Leaze. Not long after the start of construction works at The Willows, the pupils took part in a drawing and painting competition, with their artwork now proudly displayed on the construction site’s hoardings. More recently, Curo and Jehu Group created a sensory garden for the school, to help promote the pupils’ wellbeing and mental health.

Curo to put forward plans for 58 new homes at Underhill Farm in Midsomer Norton

Wed, 16 Mar 2022 15:11:38 Z

Image above: CGI of the proposed development at Underhill Farm, Midsomer Norton

Housing association and housebuilder Curo is proposing to build 58 new homes, including 30% affordable housing, on the land between Underhill Farm and Orchard Vale in Midsomer Norton.

A public exhibition of the development plans will take place on Tuesday 22 March at the Orchard Community Hall (BA3 2RB). Local residents are encouraged to drop in anytime from 1pm to 6pm to see the proposals and speak to the project team.

The site was allocated for housing development in Mendip District Council’s Local Plan Part II, adopted in December 2021. Most of the land is situated in Mendip and could accommodate 58 new homes, while the access route for the proposed development is located within Bath & North East Somerset’s authority area.

Curo is proposing to create access from Orchard Vale by demolishing two existing Curo homes on this road. These homes would be replaced with two new-build properties for social rent along the access route so there will be no net loss of affordable housing in B&NES.

The residents living in the two Curo homes have been consulted and they’re being fully supported to move to a new home in an area of their choice. The support package includes moving costs and a ‘home loss’ payment.

Curo is hoping to build 41 homes for sale and 17 new affordable homes, of which 14 would be for social rent and the remaining three would be for sale through the part rent-part buy shared ownership scheme. The homes would be a mix of 1- and 2-bedroom apartments and 2- to 4-bedroom houses.

Homes at Underhill Farm would meet the new 2021 building regulations standards, which are yet to come into effect, and would achieve a minimum of 31% reduction in CO2 emissions compared to current Building Regulations requirements.

Curo Chief Executive, Victor da Cunha, says: “As a local housing association and developer, we’re looking forward to share our plans to build 58 new homes, including desperately-needed affordable homes, on a site that is allocated for housing development. We hope that many local residents will visit the exhibition on 22 March to see the plans and have their voice heard.”

Local residents who can’t attend the exhibition at the Orchard Community Hall will be able to view and comment on the plans from Wednesday 23 March until Tuesday 12 April on our website here.

Curo will review the proposals following feedback from the public consultation and will aim to submit a full planning application to both Mendip District Council and B&NES this summer.

Curo launch a show home like no other at Century Park development in Bristol

Tue, 22 Feb 2022 12:58:08 Z

A unique show home full of character and colour has opened its doors at Curo’s residential development of 128 new homes in Lawrence Weston, Bristol.

The two-bedroom, mid-terrace ‘Westbury’ show home features unique artwork created by West Country and Bristol-based artists such as Helen Chester and Andy Council. Helen created two abstract paintings for the show home’s lounge and master bedroom, while Andy designed a mural for the show home’s cloakroom. The mural depicts a standing unicorn inspired by the city’s coat of arms and made up of local landmarks close to Curo’s development: Kings Weston House, Blaise Castle Estate, the wind turbines in Avonmouth, as well the Severn crossing.

Andy also spray-painted a piano for the show home’s living room – the design combines the industrial heritage of the area with iconic Bristol symbols such as the Suspension Bridge, the Hot Air Balloon Festival and Clifton’s multicoloured houses.

Andy says: “I was delighted to work with Curo on this project at their Century Park development in Bristol. The spray paint and ‘street art’ style of my work reflects what Bristol’s creative scene is widely known for and fits well with Century Park’s location. It’s great that Curo have chosen to work with and promote local artists who have good knowledge of the area and can add value and authenticity to a project.”

The show home also features framed prints by Bristol-based street artist Nick Walker and designer and illustrator Hannah Broadway.

Curo Sales Manager, Jodie Winter, says: “We’re very excited about our show home at Century Park. The design is inspired by the development’s location and promotes local landmarks, as well as the vibrant and multicultural art scene of Bristol and surrounding areas.”

(Show home master bedroom)

Century Park offers one-, two-, three- and four-bedroom homes, as well as green open spaces and cycle path connections to the wider area. All properties feature ground source heat pumps, a greener alternative to gas boilers.

(Dining area)

Jodie says: “All homes released for sale at Century Park so far have been reserved, but more properties will be advertised in the coming months. Homes at Century Park are modern, energy-efficient, sustainable, and attractively priced, with many being eligible to purchase using the government-backed Help to Buy scheme.”

To find out more about the homes at Century Park or to book an appointment to visit the Westbury show home, call 0345 140 5050 or email CenturyPark@curo-group.co.uk.

(Show home cloakroom featuring mural by artist Andy Council)

Curo to build nearly 200 homes in Frome after Mendip District Council approves planning application

Mon, 21 Feb 2022 10:06:06 Z

West of England housing association and housebuilder Curo has been granted detailed planning permission by Mendip District Council to build 198 new homes on land at Sandys Hill Lane in Frome.

The decision was made at the Council’s Planning Board meeting on Wednesday 16 February and is subject to a revised landscaping plan being approved by Mendip District Council officers.

The development, which will be known as Keyford Meadows, will deliver 139 homes for sale, 47 homes for social rent and 12 homes for Shared Ownership, the affordable homeownership scheme. Homes will range from 1-bedroom apartments to 4-bedroom family houses, in response to the local demand for housing.

Over the past few months, Curo has worked with Mendip officers, local councillors and other stakeholders to refine their detailed proposals, first submitted in July 2021. A series of changes were made as a result of feedback from local community representatives and the Council and the revised proposals were put forward in November last year.

Curo’s plans will see the new homes’ CO2 emissions reduced by 41% compared to current Building Regulations, and by 10% compared to emerging standards. To achieve this, all of the homes equipped with gas boilers will also be fitted with photovoltaic solar panels which will provide greener electricity. Many of the new homes will feature highly efficient air source heat pumps instead of gas boilers, while the affordable homes will also have photovoltaic solar panels.

Curo Chief Executive, Victor da Cunha, says: “We’re pleased that Mendip District Council has approved our application for these much-needed new homes in Frome. We will continue to work with the planning officers to further refine our landscaping proposals for the development. We look forward to starting works on site soon to deliver homes that are beautiful, energy-efficient and sustainable, including the full 30% affordable homes requirement which will be managed by Curo.

“The development will give local people and families more opportunities to stay in an area they’re connected to through family, school and work. Our social homes will help many families on the Council’s housing list to live in high-quality, affordable homes while Shared Ownership will enable young first-time buyers to take a first step on the property ladder.”

Aside from homes, the development will also provide more than 2 hectares of wildlife habitat and green open space, including two play areas.

The Keyford Farmhouse and converted barn, which were previously earmarked for demolition through the outline planning permission, will be retained and incorporated in the new residential development, as desired by the local community.

Curo will start works on site at Keyford Meadows this summer, while housebuilding will begin in winter. The first new homes will be ready to move into by summer 2023, while the development is expected to be completed by autumn 2026.

All images: CGIs of Curo's new Keyford Meadows development at Sandys Hill Lane in Frome

Young Bristol family can finally live together thanks to new housing development

Mon, 07 Feb 2022 09:44:23 Z

Bradley and Chelsea visiting Century Park to see construction progress of their new home

A young couple and their two children can finally live together for the first time in years, after taking a first step on the property ladder at Curo’s new development of 128 homes in Lawrence Weston, Century Park.

Bradley and Chelsea are both 27 and live in the local area. Chelsea is staying at her parents’ home in Lawrence Weston with the couple’s two children, 5-year-old daughter and 3-year-old son, while Bradley lives in Shirehampton with his parents and younger sister.

The couple have opted for this arrangement instead of renting so that they could save up for a deposit to buy a home of their own.

Chelsea says: “My sister also lives at home with our parents and there’s no room, which is why Bradley and I are having to live apart at the minute. Sometimes Bradley doesn’t finish work until late and then he has to go straight home, without seeing me or the children.”

Bradley, who manages a garage for lorry repairs in Avonmouth, says: “It’s very hard and it’s been like this for a couple of years now. We did consider renting, of course, because we wanted to be together as a family, but we wouldn’t have been able to save up for a deposit then. When you have children and you’re paying £1,000 a month in rent alone it is very hard to do it.”

The couple bought their two-bedroom house at Century Park with the government’s Help to Buy Equity Loan scheme, which is only available for new-build homes. Help to Buy makes it possible for first time buyers to purchase a home with only 5% cash deposit, while benefitting from a government loan of 20% of the cost of a newly built home, making mortgages more affordable.

Bradley says: “We were very excited when we heard that Curo were going to build homes here, in Lawrence Weston. We really thought this is a great opportunity to do something good for our family. Since then we made extra efforts to save up and buy our own home.

“We couldn’t buy an older property in the area because we couldn’t afford it without Help to Buy.”

Chelsea walks her two children to school in Avonmouth every day. The journey will take about half the time from their new home. She says: “Our extended families live in the area and we’re very close, we help each other with the kids and support one another, so we feel very lucky that we could stay in Lawrence Weston, close to all our family and friends.”

Bradley says: “We can’t wait to tell the children that we’re all going to move to our own house together, they’ll be made up!

“We’re just looking forward to being together and spending time as a family.”

All homes released for sale at Century Park in the first tranche have now been sold, but more properties will be made available to reserve and buy over the coming months.

Century Park offers 1-, 2-, 3- and 4-berroom homes for sale, social rent and Shared Ownership. All homes at Century Park feature ground source heat pumps, an alternative to gas boilers that is more environmentally friendly.

For more information about homes at Century Park, call Curo’s sales team on 0345 140 5050, email sales@curo-group.co.uk or visit www.curo-sales.co.uk.

Find out how to take a first step on the property ladder with Shared Ownership in Lawrence Weston

Thu, 20 Jan 2022 13:00:52 Z

Residents in Lawrence Weston and surrounding areas who are dreaming of taking a first step on the property ladder at Century Park or The Willows developments can now find out more about the affordable homeownership scheme, Shared Ownership, directly from Curo’s sales team.

The Shared Ownership experts will be hosting a free drop in event on Saturday 26 February from 10am until 3pm at Ambition Lawrence Weston Youth Centre (BS11 0RX).

Curo are currently building 185 new homes in Lawrence Weston, across two developments: The Willows at Corbet Close and Century Park at Henacre Road. More than half of these – 95 homes – will be affordable housing, including 28 homes for Shared Ownership.

Paula Beel, Affordable Sales Manager at Curo, says: “Shared Ownership homes are allocated on a ‘first-come, first-served’ basis and we want to make sure that local residents in Lawrence Weston and surrounding areas are prepared to take advantage of these fantastic homeownership opportunities in their neighbourhood.

“Come along to find out if you qualify for Shared Ownership and how to access this government-backed scheme. Our friendly team will be on hand to offer advice and answer any questions you may have.”

Local residents will also have the chance to speak to independent financial advisors from Evolve Financial Solutions about their specific circumstances on the day.

Shared Ownership enables first time buyers - and those who used to own a home but can no longer afford one - to purchase a share of a property, significantly reducing mortgage requirements and the sum needed for a deposit. The buyer then pays rent on the remaining share and has the option of increasing their own share over time until they reach 100% ownership and no longer need to pay rent.

For further details about the event call our Curo Sales colleagues on 0345 140 5050, or Ambition Lawrence Weston on 0117 9235112.

What?

Shared Ownership drop in event

When?

Saturday 26 February

From 10am until 3pm – drop in anytime

Where?

Ambition Lawrence Weston Youth Centre

Long Cross, Lawrence Weston, Bristol BS11 0RX