Curo News

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.”

Bath Rugby Stars Bring Community Together at Mulberry Park Christmas Light Switch-on

Thu, 07 Dec 2023 15:15:34 Z

The smell of mulled wine and hot chocolate drew the crowds to our Christmas light switch-on at Mulberry Park last week.

The Mulberry Park community came together to watch Bath Rugby stars Miles Reid and Tom Dunn flip the switch to illuminate the twinkling Christmas lights.

(Pictured: Bath Rugby players, Miles Reid and Tom Dunn, Curo Head of Construction, Paul Fackrell and Sales Manager, Jodie Winter)

As laughter and festive tunes filled the air, families, friends and neighbours gathered around the tree to enjoy mince pies and pizza provided by The Hub, Mulberry Park’s café and community space. To add an extra touch of magic, a snow machine dusted the neighbourhood, transforming it into a winter wonderland.

To add to the festive goodwill, we will give a special donation to the Bath Rugby Community Foundation. The foundation empowers vulnerable children and young people in Bath and the surrounding area to achieve success.

Jodie Winter, Curo Sales Manager, said, "The Christmas light switch-on marks the start of this special season and is a beautiful moment for the Mulberry Park community. We were thrilled to be joined by Miles and Tom, who helped bring a real sense of togetherness and holiday spirit.

"We are delighted to continue to support the Bath Rugby Community Foundation, which will join us in making a positive impact on the lives of vulnerable people in our community."

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.

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.

Mulberry Park site manager wins prestigious building award for the second year running

Fri, 24 Jun 2022 11:03:53 Z

A Curo site manager has been awarded the National House Building Council’s (NHBC) 2022 Pride in the Job Award for a second consecutive year.

Alan Mapston, senior site manager at Curo’s flagship development of almost 700 homes in Bath, Mulberry Park, was recognised again this year for his leadership, dedication and commitment to build top quality homes for customers.

The Pride in the Job competition, which was launched more than 40 years ago, celebrates the role of site managers in making sure that homes are delivered on time, on safe sites and to the highest quality standards.

Alan is one of 443 people to have been honoured with the award this year, from a pool of more than 8,000 site managers from across the country.

Motorcycle and fishing enthusiast Alan is married with two children. He joined Curo three years ago and has been leading the site team at Mulberry Park ever since. Alan says: “I’m proud to be part of such a dedicated site team at our Mulberry Park development. It’s a privilege to see this large-scale brownfield regeneration project turning into an attractive, sustainable neighbourhood that puts residents and community first.

“I’m really pleased to have won this recognition for a second consecutive year, not just for myself but for the entire team here at Mulberry Park who are working hard to make our customers happy: our contractors, labourers and my assistant site managers Grant Wells and Lee Clarke.”

Mulberry Park is a contemporary development of high-quality homes, open spaces and community facilities in Combe Down, Bath. This thriving new neighbourhood has already delivered more than 500 homes and is due to complete in 2026.

Take a first step on the property ladder with Shared Ownership in Portishead

Wed, 25 May 2022 14:26:56 Z

Residents in Portishead and surrounding areas are invited to a free Shared Ownership information event on Saturday 28 May to find out more about the scheme and how to access it, ahead of properties at the town’s Harbour Crescent development being released for sale by housing association Curo.

The event will take place at the Somerset Hall (BS20 6AH) in Portishead, with residents encouraged to drop in any time from 10am until 1pm.

Curo Shared Ownership experts and independent mortgage advisors from Evolve Financial Solutions will be on hand to answer questions and discuss the specific circumstances of those interested in the scheme.

Shared Ownership is a part buy / part rent scheme that makes it possible for first time buyers and former homeowners to purchase a share in a property while renting the remaining share. This means buyers can enjoy the benefits of homeownership without the need to save up for a large deposit. With Shared Ownership, the monthly mortgage repayments, rent and service charge often add up to less than what would cost to rent a similar property on the open market.

Curo’s 1-, 2- and 3-bedroom Shared Ownership apartments at Harbour Crescent in Portishead will include allocated parking and are ideally located close to local amenities and the town’s beautiful Marina.

What? Free Shared Ownership information event

When? Saturday 28th May – drop in anytime between 10am – 1pm

Where? Somerset Hall, 11 The Precinct, Portishead BS20 6AH

To learn more about the event and our Harbour Crescent apartments, call our sales team on 0345 140 5050.

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

Bristol school opens sensory garden with help from local housebuilders

Fri, 22 Oct 2021 09:26:36 Z

Image above: Curo Sales Advisor, Ruby Webber and Jehu Project Manager, Tomasz Magiera helping Year 1 and Year 2 pupils to plant their new sensory garden at Oasis Academy Bank Leaze.

A school in Lawrence Weston, Bristol has opened a new sensory garden to help promote the pupils’ wellbeing and mental health.

Oasis Academy Bank Leaze, also known locally as ‘the blue school on the hill’, was helped to set up the garden by housing association and housebuilder Curo and their contractor Jehu Group.

Curo is working with Jehu to deliver 57 new affordable homes for social and affordable rent and shared ownership at The Willows, a residential development near the school.

The materials and labour for the planters as well as all the plants were donated by Curo and Jehu as part of their joint commitment to support communities and make a positive contribution to the neighbourhoods they work in.

Students from Year 1 and Year 2 were helped by Curo and Jehu colleagues to plant the garden with low ferns, rose bushes, ornamental grasses, coloured heathers and some herbs.

L-R: Paula Beel, Curo Sales Manager, Ruby Webber, Curo Sales Advisor, Tomasz Magiera, Jehu Project Manager and Georgina Fitz-Gerald, Oasis Academy teacher with Year 1 and Year 2 pupils.

Curo Sales Manager, Paula Beel, says: “Supporting local communities where we build much-needed new homes is part of Curo’s purpose – Homes for Good.

“Over the past couple of years, we’ve all rediscovered how powerful nature can be in helping us to maintain and improve our well-being and mental health. We’re really pleased that, alongside our contractor Jehu, we were able to help the school create this lovely garden for their children to enjoy every day.”

Jehu Project Manager, Tomasz Magiera, says: “We’re proud to work with Curo at The Willows, delivering much-needed new affordable homes in Lawrence Weston, and supporting community initiatives that benefit local residents. It’s great to see how much the children are already enjoying the new garden and we’re proud we could come together and use our strength as a force for good in society.”

Oasis Academy Bank Leaze teacher, Georgina Fitz-Gerald, says: “The children loved planting and tending to the garden. They’re really excited about watering the plants to help them grow and look forward to seeing how they will change over the seasons.

“At our school, we try to use the outdoors as much as possible to teach our children about nature and the environment, and to promote their mental health. We’re over the moon with our new garden and I’m certain it will be enjoyed by the kids for many years to come.”

The Willows is a 100% affordable housing development, including 19 homes for sale through the part-rent/part-buy scheme, shared ownership. The development will be completed by the end of 2022.

For more information about The Willows click here. For shared ownership, visit our sales website.

Youth football teams sport new strip thanks to Curo sponsorship

Mon, 18 Oct 2021 08:00:00 Z

Clutton’s youth football teams are sporting brand new kits after receiving a £3,000 sponsorship donation from housing association and housebuilder Curo.

Curo last year completed the Highbury Fields development of 36 new homes in the village, which included 21 affordable homes for social rent and shared ownership. The development has enabled many local people to put down long-term roots in the community near to family, schools and jobs.

Curo Chief Executive, Victor da Cunha, says: “We’ve always believed that truly integrated, sustainable and happy neighbourhoods need more than just new homes. That’s because it’s the people, not the homes, that make it a great place to live.

“As a developer and housing association, we remain involved in local communities well after we build our homes, by providing a wide range of activities and services to support people and neighbourhoods - from tailored individual support for those needing a little extra practical help, to skills, training, employment advice and job opportunities. We also offer funding for community-led projects, such as the wonderful youth football club in Clutton.

"The club is very active, popular and successful locally, and doing a great job in helping families and kids to connect, socialise and keep healthy. We’re proud to be associated with them and to play a part in helping them to keep doing what they’ve been doing so well for a while. We hope that this donation helps them continue to go from strength to strength.”

Curo’s donation has enabled the club to purchase new Hummel kit including shirts, shorts and socks for all players from the under-7s, under-9s and under-11s teams, as well as 25 children from Reception and Year 1, also known as the ‘Mini Swans’. In addition, the club was able to purchase other much-needed equipment, including 40 new footballs and two goals for matches.

Clutton Football Club Chairman, Stuart Price, says: “We’re thrilled to have received this generous donation and really grateful to Curo for their support. Our young players are loving their new Curo-branded equipment and it’s great to see them looking the part on the pitch.

“Football is really important in our community, bringing together not only local children, but also their parents, grandparents and siblings. Our matches make for great fun days out for the whole family and Curo’s sponsorship will help us to continue this important work.”

Housebuilding in Lawrence Weston brings opportunities for local people

Fri, 15 Oct 2021 12:31:55 Z

A Lawrence Weston resident is among the newest members of contractor Jehu’s site team at Curo’s The Willows development, in Bristol.

The Willows is a 100% affordable housing development of 57 homes for social and affordable rent and shared ownership. Curo is working with contractor Jehu to deliver the much-needed new homes.

James Beck joined the site team two months ago as labourer and construction traffic marshall for the project. The 34-year-old father-of-three and his family have lived in Lawrence Weston all their lives and their current home is just across the road from the new development site.

James says: “I’ve always been interested in construction and I started working on sites right after I finished school. I really enjoy this line of work and look forward to learning new skills in my current role.

“It’s great to be able to work so close to my home. I saw the job advertised and I thought it can’t get any better, it’s straight across the road from where I live - the shortest commute!”

James believes that employing local people to work in their communities is a win-win situation for everyone. He says: “When you have a busy construction site there can sometimes be some difficulties with things like deliveries of materials. Having a friendly face on site, someone local people recognise and can approach with any comments or suggestions is great because whatever it is, if they tell us, we will do our best to sort it.”

James’ current goals include gaining some further construction qualifications. He says: “The teams here at Jehu and Curo are very supportive. In the long term, I would like to become a site manager myself and I know that with this job there are opportunities, training and support for this.”

James was offered a permanent role with contractor Jehu and will continue to work alongside the team after the construction at The Willows is completed.

Read more about The Willows development in our contractor's latest construction newsletter here.

Want to find out more about the future shared ownership homes at The Willows? Visit our sales website to register your interest.

Radstock residents get first look at redevelopment proposals for Walnut Buildings

Fri, 17 Sep 2021 08:47:32 Z

Around 70 people attended Curo’s public exhibition last week to see the proposals for the redevelopment of the land formerly occupied by Walnut Buildings.

Feedback was overwhelmingly positive, with 93% of survey respondents stating they support the redevelopment proposals as showcased, while the remainder were unsure.

Among the visitors’ favourite features were the layout of the scheme and home zone concept for the main road. There was also strong support for the design of the new homes, which were seen to complement the existing buildings and neighbourhood character.

Local residents also liked that the 32 homes proposed will be affordable, available through a mix of social rent and low-cost home ownership.

Many respondents commented positively about the sustainability features of the proposed homes, which will aim to achieve a minimum of 19% reduction in CO2 emissions using energy-efficient building materials, PV solar panels and air source heat pumps. Wildlife-enhancing features such as hedgehog highways and bird/bat/bee boxes were also popular.

Most visitors agreed that the proposals will lead to an improvement in the appearance of the area.

One visitor said: “The houses look as though they will be attractive; it will be a good mix of properties” while another commented: “It is a shame that the commercial builders do not adopt some of these practices.”

Ward councillors Bruce Shearn and Chris Dando were also present at the event.

Cllr Shearn says: “This is a great opportunity for Curo and our town to regenerate the area in keeping with the wider neighbourhood while providing modern and energy-efficient affordable homes.

“I know that there will be more tweaks and changes to the scheme, not least because of feedback received from residents during this public consultation, but I think Curo’s plans look great and could really transform this part of town for the better. I look forward to seeing the homes built and welcoming their new residents over the next couple of years.”

Cllr Dando says: “It was great to meet with local residents at the public exhibition last week and hear what they had to say about the proposed redevelopment. Curo’s designs show a well-thought-out scheme that could really benefit both existing residents and those families who may live in these new homes in the future.”

North East Somerset MP, Jacob Rees-Mogg, commented: "Curo has clearly listened to residents and is offering attractive, traditional housing that is affordable and in keeping with Radstock’s history."

Local residents can still view and comment on the proposals here by Friday 24 September. Curo will take this feedback into consideration when refining the plans, before submitting a planning application to B&NES Council in late autumn.

Curo to consult on plans for 32 new affordable homes at Walnut Buildings site

Wed, 01 Sep 2021 17:31:07 Z

Curo is proposing to build 32 new affordable homes on the land formerly occupied by Walnut Buildings in Radstock.

A public exhibition of the redevelopment plans will take place on Thursday 9 September at Whisty Community Hall (BA3 3JL) and local residents are encouraged to drop in any time between 2-7pm.

The proposed homes are a mix of 1- and 2-bedroom apartments and 2- and 3-bedroom houses. Just over half of the new homes will be let at social rent to people on Bath & North East Somerset Council’s housing list (17) while the remainder (15) will be sold to first time buyers through the Shared Ownership scheme.

Curo Chief Executive, Victor da Cunha, says: “We’re looking forward to sharing our redevelopment plans for Walnut Buildings with the community in Radstock this month. I want to thank all residents who got involved in our first consultation earlier this year – your feedback was invaluable in developing these proposals and we hope you’ll come along to the exhibition to let us know what you think.

“The new scheme has been designed to complement existing homes and buildings and to improve the appearance and safety of the area, which were the community’s main priorities. The development could give more local people and families the opportunity to live in modern, warm and energy-efficient affordable homes.”

The proposals include electric vehicle (EV) charging points and a ‘home zone’ as the main road through the new development. A home zone is a space shared between vehicles, cyclists, pedestrians and children, with consideration given to the wider needs of the residents.

The development will aim to achieve a 19% reduction in CO2 emissions compared to building regulations requirements, by using energy efficient building materials and renewable/low carbon technologies. This could mean the future homes at Walnut Buildings may feature air source heat pumps instead of gas boilers, while some may also have photovoltaic solar panels.

Curo are looking to submit a planning application to B&NES Council in winter 2021. Subject to securing planning permission, Curo could start works on site at Walnut Buildings by spring 2023 and complete the development by summer 2024.

Curo and Swan to boost delivery of new affordable housing with Homes England partnership

Wed, 01 Sep 2021 15:10:26 Z

West of England housing association Curo and Essex-based Swan have secured a new strategic partnership with Homes England to build more affordable homes.

Curo and Swan will receive £160.4 million funding from the new Affordable Homes Programme to deliver 2,425 homes over the next five years, in addition to their existing development pipelines.

The homes will be a mix of social/affordable rent and low-cost ownership tenures and will be delivered across the housing associations’ respective operating areas in South West and South East England.

This is the second time Curo and Swan have secured strategic partnership funding, after being granted £51.1 million in 2019 to build 1,067 new affordable homes by March 2024.

Aside from making possible much-needed new affordable homes, the government funding will also help drive investment in local economies and create jobs and skills.

In South West England, Curo works in partnership with housing associations Alliance Homes and Magna Housing to accelerate delivery of new affordable housing through their strategic partnership with Homes England.

Curo Chief Executive, Victor da Cunha, says: “I’m delighted that Curo and Swan have again been chosen as strategic partners of the government’s housing agency. Working with Swan as our joint Homes England strategic partner and our delivery partners in South West England, Alliance and Magna, has been very successful over the past few years and I’m sure it will continue to be a productive partnership in the future.

“Delivering another c. 2,500 homes with Homes England is an exciting prospect. The South West is in desperate need of additional social rent and low-cost homeownership housing at prices local people can genuinely afford. With this additional £160m investment, we will be able to boost output and further address the regional housing crisis.”

Swan Housing Association is one of the leading regenerating social landlords across Essex and East London. They recently acquired a second modular housing factory in Basildon, where they will precision engineer steel framed volumetric homes as part of their strategic partnership delivery.

John Synnuck, Swan CEO, says: “We are delighted that we now have this opportunity to continue to successfully work in partnership with Curo and deliver on Homes England’s ambitious affordable housing programme.

“We particularly welcome the focus in the new 5-year programme on the use of Modern Methods of Construction to deliver these much-needed affordable homes and we will use our second modular housing factory to build high quality new homes whilst creating new jobs, retraining staff from other sectors and supporting UK manufacturing to help the UK to build back better.”

Social rent homes are usually 50-60% of market prices, while affordable rent sits at about 80% of market rate. Many of the new homes funded by the strategic partnership grant will be available through the affordable homeownership schemes, helping more young people and families to get a foot on the housing ladder.

First homes at new Bristol development to go on sale this month

Fri, 06 Aug 2021 09:00:00 Z

Curo’s Century Park residential development in Lawrence Weston, Bristol, is set to open the doors to its marketing suite this month as the first new homes are released for sale.

Century Park is a brand-new neighbourhood of 128 homes for private sale, rent and Shared Ownership, ranging from one-bedroom apartments to four-bedroom family houses.

Prices for the first homes available to buy start at £230,000 for a two-bedroom mid-terrace house with one parking space, up to £320,000 for a four-bedroom end of terrace with two parking spaces.

With construction work well underway, these homes are scheduled to be ready to move into next year.

Alongside homes, Century Park will also provide open spaces, including a play trail and trim trail, as well as the relocation and improvement of an existing cycle path, which will be lit through the new development.

Homes at Century Park will feature ground source heat pumps, a low carbon heating system that’s better for the environment, and a greener alternative to traditional gas boilers.

Curo Sales Manager Jodie Winter says: “Homes at Century Park are situated close to great schools, at the heart of a vibrant community, and only a 15-minute drive or 30-minute train journey from Bristol City Centre. There are many parks nearby, including the stunning Blaise Castle Estate, as well as plenty of cycle routes connecting the new homes with places like Aust village and Portishead.

“We’re very pleased to be launching our marketing suite this month and our team is looking forward to helping many families find their perfect home at Century Park. All homes currently released for sale are also available with Help to Buy, a scheme aimed at helping first time buyers to get on the property ladder with a government loan of up to 20% of the cost of a newly built home.”

Curo’s sales office will open on Saturday 21 August and visitors will be able to book appointments 7 days a week from 10am-5.30pm.

For more information about the new homes, or to book an appointment at Century Park, visit our sales website or call 0345 140 5050.

198 new homes proposed for land at Sandys Hill Lane in Frome

Thu, 05 Aug 2021 15:25:28 Z

Details of a residential development planned for Frome have been revealed by West of England housing association and house-builder Curo.

The site, which received outline planning permission from Mendip District Council in March 2021 for up to 235 homes and a number of commercial units, is situated along either side of Sandys Hill Lane, near the town's Sainsbury's supermarket.

Curo are looking to develop the residential site and have now submitted a detailed planning application for 198 new homes, including 59 affordable homes of which 47 will be provided at social rent. This represents the full 30% affordable housing planning requirement.

Responding to the local demand for housing, the scheme will deliver a wide range of homes, from one-bedroom apartments to five-bedroom family houses.

Proposals for the commercial site will be put forward by a different developer under a separate planning application.

Aside from a lower-density development with fewer homes, Curo have made a series of changes to the scheme approved at outline stage, in response to feedback from local stakeholders and community. This includes retaining the Keyford Farmhouse and converted barn, which were previously earmarked for demolition through the outline planning consent.

Curo Chief Executive, Victor da Cunha, says: “We listened to the community, who wanted us to keep the farmhouse and we designed a scheme that protects these buildings for the future.

“We worked with Mendip District Council officers through the pre-application process to refine our proposals and we believe the current plans could deliver much-needed homes in an attractive new neighbourhood that’s respectful of the local character.

“We’re hoping these homes will help more local people and families who feel they’ve been priced out of the housing market in Frome to stay in or return to the town they love. Our homes for social rent will give many families on the Council’s housing list the opportunity to live in a high-quality, affordable home while the Shared Ownership scheme will help young first-time buyers to make that all-important but difficult first step on the property ladder.”

Large areas of wildlife habitat and open space, including two play areas, are also being proposed.

Details of the reserved matters proposals can be viewed on Mendip District Council’s website. Subject to planning permission, works on site could start next year with the whole development anticipated to be completed by 2027.

First residents move to Eaton Park in Yatton

Fri, 23 Jul 2021 13:14:14 Z

A retired couple who moved to North Somerset to be close to family are the first residents at Curo’s new Eaton Park development in Yatton.

Frances, 78, and David, 80, have lived in Taunton, Somerset most of their lives, but decided they wanted to be closer to their son, daughter and four grand-daughters in Yatton.

They are the first residents to move to Eaton Park, a new development of one-, two-, three- and four-bedroom homes situated on the edge of the North Somerset village.

David says: “We didn’t really want to be travelling up and down the motorway all the time anymore – the motorway is no fun at all these days. Our children were delighted when they heard we wanted to move.”

Frances added: “One day earlier this year we called in to the sales suite at Eaton Park and we met our sales negotiator, Tracey. We decided then and there that we were going to buy this house and Tracey helped us choose everything, from our kitchen to flooring and tiles. Although it was off-plan it was easy for us to see it’s where we wanted to live.”

The couple, who have been married 59 years, moved to their new 3-bedroom semi-detached house at the end of June. The property has a spacious kitchen/diner and separate lounge on the ground floor, leading to a large garden through French doors. They also benefit from off-street parking and solar panels on the roof.

Frances says: “We have a really big garden which is brilliant because I love gardening. We’ve already started planting the border – I brought 30 cuttings from our old house to help establish our new garden. Our neighbours who have also moved in recently came over and commented about the garden and the progress we’ve made. We feel very lucky and can’t wait to really put our stamp on the outdoor space here.”

An added bonus for the couple was the stamp duty holiday which was initially scheduled to end in March but was extended by the government until the end of June. House buyers can still benefit from smaller tax breaks if they purchase a home until 30 September.

David says: “I must say that Curo were amazing – the sales negotiators, Tracey and Sharon and all the builders – they really did do their best to get us in by 30th June so that we could benefit from the stamp duty exemption.”

“We just love how low-maintenance our new-build home is, and that there’s so much natural light in all the rooms.”

The couple are looking forward to exploring the area over the next few months, as well as spending more time with the family.

Frances says: “Our children have told us about all the different walks – we explored Strawberry Line before, but they also recommended the fishing lakes at Kingston Seymour and other places we must go and see, and we’re really excited about discovering them.

“It’s lovely to have all the family living nearby, we’re really happy here.”

Eaton Park offers modern living in a beautiful rural setting, close to local amenities, including schools, Co-op, post office, pharmacy and pubs. The development will also deliver new open spaces with trees, shrubs, wildflower meadows and a children’s play area.

Prices at Eaton Park start at £239,995 for a two-bed coach house. Homes available to reserve right now have prices starting at £310,000 for a three-bedroom mid-terrace property.

For more information about the new homes visit our sales website, call 0345 140 5050 or pop in at the Marketing Suite on North End Road (BS49 4GH) open 7 days a week, 10am-5.30pm. Visitors can also experience the lifestyle offered by homes at Eaton Park by viewing the recently launched three-bedroom Avebury and four-bedroom Clifton show homes.

Curo site managers in Bath and Keynsham scoop double win at building awards

Mon, 28 Jun 2021 10:59:32 Z

Two site managers from housing association and house-builder Curo have received the National House Building Council’s 2021 Pride in the Job Quality Award.

Alan Mapston, senior site manager at Mulberry Park in Bath and Lee Watts, senior site manager at Woodland View at Hygge Park in Keynsham were recognised for their dedication, leadership and the high standards achieved at their respective developments.

Often referred to as the ‘Oscars of the house-building industry’, the Pride in the Job Awards celebrate the vital role that site managers play in ensuring new homes are constructed on time, on safe sites and to the highest quality standards.

The competition endorses the best site managers from across the country, following a rigorous and lengthy judging process that looks at key areas such as leadership, technical expertise, health and safety and attention to detail.

Alan Mapston, Curo Senior Site Manager at Mulberry Park, Bath

Married father-of-two, Alan, who in his spare time enjoys a spot of fishing and tinkering in the garage with his classic motorcycles, says:

“I’m very pleased to have won this award for our Mulberry Park site. Building homes of such high quality in a safe, timely and cost-effective way is certainly a team effort and I work alongside some fantastic people here at Mulberry Park, from my two assistant site managers, Grant Wells and Lee Clarke, to our trusted contractors.

“Our focus is always on building beautiful, high quality homes for our customers and I think the award recognises this.”

Lee Watts, Curo Senior Site Manager at Woodland View at Hygge Park, Keynsham

Bristol Rovers and Bristol Bears supporter Lee likes snowboarding and weekends away when possible. This is Lee’s second Pride in the Job Award, having won his first in 2013. He says:

“I’m proud of our Woodland View development where our customer satisfaction rate is 100%. This is a true reflection of how we build our homes, our focus on quality and attention to detail.

“I’m delighted with this recognition, not just for myself but for the entire team here at Woodland View who are working hard to make our customers happy – our contractors, labourers and my assistant site manager Steve Weymouth.”

Mulberry Park is a contemporary development of almost 700 homes, open spaces and community facilities in Combe Down, Bath. This thriving new neighbourhood has already delivered more than 380 homes and is due to complete in 2026.

Woodland View is creating 56 high-quality new homes within the larger Hygge Park scheme and is anticipated to complete in Spring 2022.

Curo launches community consultation over the future of Walnut Buildings site

Mon, 29 Mar 2021 10:48:01 Z

Housing association and housebuilder Curo hope to build new, high-quality housing on the Walnut Buildings site in Radstock and are asking the local community to help shape plans for a future development.

To take part, local residents are invited to fill in this short survey: www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/walnut-buildings.

The feedback will help Curo design initial proposals for the site over the next few months. A second public consultation will give local residents the opportunity to view and comment on the specifics of the project, including site layout, number and tenure of homes and other details such as parking arrangements.

Curo Chief Executive, Victor da Cunha, says: “We really want to hear from local people about the future of this site and understand what’s important to them to help inform our early thinking.

“We know that news about the redevelopment of Walnut Buildings has been well received by the community and we’re looking forward to working alongside local residents to explore what’s possible.

“This is an exciting opportunity to create some good quality, modern homes which meet local needs and integrate well within the existing neighbourhood and it’s important to hear from the community during our planning phase.”

To make way for the new homes, Walnut Buildings are to be taken down from mid-April. The demolition works are expected to last four weeks.

Over the past few months Curo have been working with contractor L.A. More to prepare the site. The works so far have included removal of heating systems, bathrooms and kitchens and disconnecting gas, electricity and water supplies.

The buildings will be taken down one by one in a controlled and considerate manner, with each block being demolished fully before moving on to the next. Specialist plant will be used to carefully remove roofs and walls and dig up the foundations.

Curo reveals plans for 70 new affordable homes in Bristol

Wed, 03 Mar 2021 12:07:08 Z

We have launched a digital public consultation to gather views about proposals to build another – entirely affordable - housing development in Bishopsworth, Bristol.

The site, which is one of the last remaining undeveloped plots of land of the former Imperial Tobacco Factory, could see up to 70 new affordable homes delivered by the end of 2024, subject to planning permission.

Located just off Hengrove Way, a major route into the city, the area is known as Imperial Retail Park and Lakeshore and is a mixed-use regeneration project with shops, restaurants, offices and residential dwellings.

The homes will be a mix of apartments and houses with one, two and three bedrooms. All new homes at Curo’s Imperial Park development will be affordable housing: 12 homes for social rent, 28 homes for affordable rent and 30 homes for sale through the affordable homeownership scheme, shared ownership.

Curo have worked with architects Stride Treglown to develop the plans. The proposed homes will be well insulated and will feature triple glazed windows for increased energy efficiency, and air source heat pumps, a low maintenance and more environmentally friendly alternative to gas boilers. Air source heat pumps work by absorbing heat from the outside air, even when it's very cold, to warm up a home and provide hot water.

Houses and apartment buildings at Curo’s Imperial Park scheme will have photovoltaic solar panels installed on the roofs, further helping to reduce the future residents' carbon footprint and energy bills.

Electric Vehicle (EV) charging points will be dotted around the development, which will also feature green open space with trees, shrubs and natural wood play equipment.

Curo Chief Executive, Victor da Cunha, says: “We’d love to hear the views of local residents about our proposals for Imperial Park. Affordable housing is desperately needed in Bristol, with more than 13,000 families registered on the Council’s Homechoice scheme, waiting for a place to call home. Working in partnership with the Council and the local community, we hope to finesse our ideas so that we can create beautiful, sustainable homes which are truly valued by the city and its residents.”

Curo are delivering another 78 affordable homes in the area through a partnership with developer Kier at the Urban Quarter scheme at Whitchurch Lane.

To see the plans for Curo’s Imperial Park development and submit your feedback click here.