Curo News

Planning permission secured for 280 new homes in Street, Somerset

Wed, 05 Mar 2025 12:17:00 Z

We have secured planning permission to deliver 280 new homes and major landscape improvements in Street, Somerset. Somerset Council resolved to grant permission for the development, which will include a mix of one- to four-bedroom homes and apartments, all featuring private balconies or gardens. The homes will include an attractive mix of mews houses, apartments, and large family houses.

(A row of thoughtfully designed mews homes within the development)

Of the 280 homes, 84 will be affordable. The majority will be allocated for social rent through Somerset Council’s ‘HomeFinder’ system or available through Shared Ownership, helping first-time buyers and those looking to step onto the property ladder. We are also seeking Homes England funding to convert 11 further homes to social rent, increasing the affordability of the scheme.

Stuart Smith, Director of Technical and Commercial at Curo, said: "As a housing association and housebuilder, our mission is to provide high-quality homes for those who need them most. We’re really proud of the homes we build and excited to offer them to the local community. We want to maximise our impact, so we’ll be applying for additional grant funding to convert 11 more homes to social rent, increasing the number of truly affordable homes within this development."

(A visualisation of the apartment buildings within the scheme, designed to offer high-quality, energy-efficient homes)

The site features extensive green spaces, including a central wetland area with a boardwalk crossing, designed to enhance biodiversity while providing a scenic and tranquil setting for residents. The scheme will also boost local biodiversity by 10% through the creation of orchards, allotments, tree and hedge planting, and additional wildlife habitats. New play areas will also be provided as part of the development.

Peter Roberts, Head of Planning at Curo, added: "This development is located on the southeast edge of Street, so we’ve taken great care to create a scheme that respects the area’s natural beauty while forming an attractive gateway to the village. Working with our architects, we’re excited to bring forward this striking central wetland and boardwalk feature which we are confident will be enjoyed by all residents – both new and old.”

In line with our commitment to sustainability, the new homes will be built to high energy-efficiency standards, incorporating air source heat pumps and solar panels to lower carbon emissions and reduce energy bills. The use of these sustainable tools is expected to offset an estimated 228 tonnes of CO₂ annually – equivalent to the carbon absorption of around 6,800 mature trees. Every home will also include an electric vehicle charging point, supporting greener transport options.

(A key ecological feature of the development, the wetland area enhances biodiversity while providing a scenic and peaceful space for the community.)

The scheme includes key infrastructure improvements such as new access arrangements, a Sustainable Urban Drainage System, and phosphate mitigation measures. We will also provide significant financial contributions towards education and highway upgrades as part of the planning agreement.

We acquired the site from Nine Square Trust in November 2023 and expects to start construction in late 2025. The scheme has been designed in collaboration with David Rhodes Architects, Focus and Tumu Engineers, Landmark Landscape Architects, Tyler Grange Ecologists and Darren Evans Sustainability Consultants.

Planning permission granted for redevelopment of Tintagel Close in Keynsham

Wed, 05 Mar 2025 12:17:00 Z

CGI of the new homes viewed from Queen's Road

We've been granted planning permission to demolish Tintagel Close in Keynsham and replace the existing 1970s-built block with 45 affordable, modern homes.

The re-development will deliver a mix of 1, 2, 3 and 4-bedroom homes, including several properties adapted for wheelchair users. All of these homes will be available for social rent- about 40% below market rate through the Council’s letting service HomeSearch - or Shared Ownership, helping to meet the high demand for affordable housing in the area.

All the new homes will have dedicated parking and their own electric vehicle charging point. Alongside this, each home will use an energy-efficient heating system, with air source heat pumps for houses and a combined heat pump/electric panel system for flats. Every property will benefit from solar panels which will also help to keep bills down. The plans also include planting a wide range of trees – including fruit trees – and adding more seating throughout, creating more usable green space for local residents.

The redevelopment follows extensive consultation with residents and stakeholders over a period of three years. The latest plans, shaped by feedback and discussions with the Council, include a slightly denser layout with more terraced houses and fewer buildings behind Queens Road Church to improve the open space available to residents.

“This marks the start of an exciting new chapter for the whole neighbourhood,” says Sarah Maylor, Curo’s Director of Development. “We’ve worked closely with local people, the council, and our partners to shape something that really reflects what the community wants and needs.

Our new scheme will be greener, better connected, and built to a much higher standard than the old block.”

Sarah adds, “We looked carefully at all the options, and this approach gives us the best chance to create something truly special. It’s an opportunity to bring high-quality, energy-efficient homes to the area, while also improving the public spaces and creating a greener, more welcoming environment for everyone.”

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.”

Curo creates opportunity for local talent in construction

Fri, 30 Aug 2024 13:30:59 Z

We recently welcomed Grace Young, a student from Norton Hill School in Midsomer Norton, for a work experience placement at Mulberry Park.

During her time at Mulberry Park, Grace got hands-on experience with our Construction and Sales teams, providing her with valuable insight into the housebuilding industry. Mulberry Park, when complete, will see 700 new homes, with 30% earmarked as affordable housing.

Grace said: “Working at Mulberry Park has been an eye-opener. It’s fantastic to see how a development like this can benefit the local community in so many ways. The experience has definitely helped me think about my future career options.” Grace has returned to college to finish her studies and is considering an apprenticeship with Curo in the future.

Paul Fackrell, Head of Construction and Grace’s mentor, said: “We’re always open to supporting local people to develop their skills and explore potential careers in construction. It’s incredibly rewarding to see our efforts making a positive impact on the community.

“We were delighted to welcome Grace to the Mulberry Park team. Her enthusiasm was infectious, and it was clear she learnt a lot from the experience.

“Since its inception, Mulberry Park has been about more than just homes. The development has created more than 100 work and educational placements, and provided training for 70 new jobs, as well as 15 apprenticeships.”

We are passionate about creating a diverse and inclusive workplace within the construction industry. By offering underrepresented groups the opportunity to explore careers in construction, we hope to address the sector’s skills shortages and create opportunity in the areas we operate in.

If you or someone you know wants to find out more about a career in construction, please email or call our Work Wise team.

We work with many employers looking for labourers and experienced tradespeople. They can help you apply for Health and Safety in Construction Environment Level 1 and achieve your Construction Skills Certification Scheme (CSCS) Health and Safety card through Bath College’s Constructing Lives Together scheme. You'll also get help with updating your CV, interview advice and a guaranteed interview with an employer.

For more information please contact Katie Houlden, Employability Services Team Leader, by email: employmentandtraining@curo-group.co.uk

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.

Work starts at new development in Bristol: 47 affordable homes coming soon

Thu, 22 Feb 2024 12:05:34 Z

We are building 47 affordable homes on the land next to the Broad Plain House social club, near the Broadbury Road/ Leinster Avenue junction.

We have started work on 47 affordable homes on the land next to the Broad Plain House social club, near the Broadbury Road/ Leinster Avenue junction.

Part-funded by a £3.3 million grant from Homes England, every home at the development will be designated as affordable housing. Ranging from one to three bedrooms, the 47 homes will either be available for subsidised social rent – typically 40% below the market rate – or sold through Shared Ownership.

Site layout at Broadbury Road

Shared Ownership is a part-rent, part-buy scheme meaning the deposit is far less than a buyer would need to purchase a home on the open market. 37 homes will be available through the scheme, with the remaining 10 offered for social rent through Bristol City Council.

Francesca Topazio, Head of Affordable Housing, said, 'We're excited about the contribution this scheme will make to affordable housing in Bristol. If we were a typical private developer, only 30% of this scheme would have to be affordable housing. Instead, we’ve made the choice to invest in this area and ensure that all of these homes will be accessible for working people."

“We will also manage these homes in the long term. We put a great deal of thought into the quality of the build and design to ensure they are places people love to live in for years to come. We create profit for purpose; we have no paid shareholders, so we can guarantee that any surpluses are reinvested in our existing homes or used to build more affordable homes", she continued.

Artists depiction of street scene at Broadbury Road

The final development plans include a natural play area for the local community, alongside thoughtfully designed private and communal green spaces. Additionally, homes will benefit from upgraded parking facilities, including electric vehicle charging points, catering to the current and future needs of local residents.

For more information about the development, see Curo’s dedicated website page or for information regarding Shared Ownership, please contact the Curo Shared Ownership Team.

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.

Proposals announced for up to 213 new homes in Keynsham

Tue, 04 Jul 2023 09:27:04 Z

Curo has announced plans to build up to 213 homes, including 30% affordable housing, on land situated on Bath Road in Keynsham.

Curo’s plans for the site prioritise open spaces and local infrastructure. Green open spaces, community orchards, and grow patches are all part of the newly unveiled plans for the scheme. The ecological and landscape proposals for the site will enhance the local ecosystem by a minimum of 10% from its current state.

A sports pitch is also planned as part of the works and will be located next to the Two Rivers Primary School, offering ample opportunities for leisure and outdoor activities. Curo has partnered with local architects and contractors to bring this development to life, including Thrive Architects, PFA Engineers, David Jarvis Associates Landscape Architects, and Clarkson Woods Ecologists.

Victor da Cunha, CEO at Curo, says, “Our plans for Bath Road look to address the severe lack of homes for local people in Keynsham, offering solutions to the diverse housing needs of the area. This project is set to be a catalyst for the creation of an accessible and vibrant neighbourhood, with 67 affordable homes included in the plans.”

With outline planning permission for up to 213 homes already secured, Curo will now refine its development proposals to showcase the detailed design of the scheme in the next stage of the project’s evolution.

Curo manager takes home third consecutive win at prestigious building awards

Mon, 26 Jun 2023 07:51:28 Z

Pictured: Alan Mapston, Senior Site Manager at Curo (M) with colleagues Lee Clarke (R) and Grant Wells (L)

Senior Site Manager at housing association and house-builder Curo, Alan Mapston, marked his third consecutive win this week at National House Building Council’s (NHBC) Pride in the Job Award competition.

The NHBC has presented Alan with another Quality Award for his outstanding work at Curo’s flagship development, Mulberry Park, a 19-hectare site, which when complete will comprise 700 high quality homes, community facilities and open spaces. The award recognises Alan's exceptional leadership and consistent pursuit of high standards on site.

Having worked as a Site Manager for over two decades, Alan notes that the NHBC Awards remain among the most prestigious awards for professionals in his field. The judging process celebrates the role of site managers in making sure that homes are delivered on time, on safe sites and to the highest quality standards.

Talking about what it means to receive the award once more, Alan says, "It was brilliant to receive this again for the third year running. Winning one of these awards shows that you have done your job to the best of your ability and brought out the best from your team.”

He adds, “My assistants play a big role in achieving the standards required to win, which is also great for their personal development. Hopefully, they’ll also go on to be winners in the future."

The Mulberry Park development has already delivered more than 550 homes and is due to be completed in 2026.

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."

Donation to Yatton school means new play area for local children

Thu, 16 Mar 2023 10:52:19 Z

Pupils at a local primary school in Yatton are enjoying a new play area after Curo made a generous donation towards the purchase.

Curo made a donation of £2500 after Chestnut Park Primary School put out a call for sponsors to support the installation of a new play area at the school. The money was put towards a new natural play area and trim trail for the primary school students.

To mark the event, a short ceremony was held at the school, which was well attended by local children, parents, teachers alongside representatives from Curo’s Sales Department. After handing over a ceremonial cheque, Curo’s team challenged the children to have a go at building their own cardboard Curo house.

Parents, children and teachers all bundled in quickly to put together their own unique designs. After a flurry of colouring, these wonderfully designed new houses were taken home to serve as a reminder of the day of fun that was had.

Tamara Dexter, Head Teacher at Chestnut Park Primary School, says, "Curo's generous donation has had a huge impact across our school and the Yatton community. Not only did it help us install new play equipment, but it also brought the community together in a really unique and engaging way."

"The children loved building and designing their own Curo houses, which was a great bit of fun for both the kids and also a number of parents who were in attendance. We are immensely grateful for Curo's ongoing support, and as an integral member of the Yatton community, their commitment to supporting local organisations like Chestnut Park Primary School is truly appreciated and valued."

Curo is well known in Yatton for its Eaton Park development. Located just opposite Chestnut Park Primary, the scheme will comprise 154 new homes alongside high quality public open space with tree and shrub planting, wildflower meadows and a Local Equipped Area for Play (LEAP).

Jodie Winter, Sales Manager at Curo, says, “It’s been a real privilege to support Chestnut Park Primary with this donation. We’re deeply committed to our relationships with our community partners - especially in this case as we are basically neighbours!”

“It was a delight to meet the wonderful children and parents of Chestnut Park Primary, and we can’t wait to welcome the rest of our ever-growing community to Eaton Park.”

Chestnut Park Primary is still looking to expand its play area. The school is hoping to install a climbing frame next. It is currently fund-raising through its PTA, but would welcome any further donations towards costs from the local community.

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/

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.

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.

On air with Somer Valley FM - development proposals for land at Underhill Farm

Wed, 06 Apr 2022 11:13:41 Z

Curo Chief Executive, Victor da Cunha, chats to Somer Valley FM about our proposals to build 58 new homes, including 30% affordable housing, on land at Underhill Farm, in Midsomer Norton. Listen to find out about our public consultation process and how you can have your say on the plans!

Curo · Vic Da Cunha Underhill Farm Interview With Somer Valley FM

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.