Curo and Woodstock Homes prepare to start work on 50 home scheme in South Gloucestershire

Wed, 05 Mar 2025 12:17:00 Z

CGI of the new homes viewed from Bradley Stoke Way

We have partnered with private developer, Woodstock Partnerships, to deliver 50 new affordable homes in South Gloucestershire.

Works are preparing to start on the development, which will feature two 4-storey apartment blocks comprising 32 two-bedroom and 18 one-bedroom flats which will all include private balconies or private courtyards.

This scheme prioritises sustainability through features that benefit both residents and the environment. The site will feature green open spaces that will improve the biodiversity of the site, while we will also provide a number of parking spaces ready for electric vehicle charging.

The two buildings’ flat roofs will host solar photovoltaic panels, generating 11.6kWp of power, or approximately three times the annual electricity needs of an average UK home. This will help offset 2-3 tonnes of CO₂ per year - equivalent to the carbon absorption of around 50 mature trees.

Domestic hot water needs will be met sustainably through air source heat pumps, complemented by efficient electric panel heaters for space heating. These features are carefully chosen to make a meaningful difference in residents' everyday lives, keeping bills down while contributing to a greener future.

All the new homes will be available through social rent – roughly 40% below the market rate, addressing the high demand for affordable housing in the area.

With more than 4,000 households on South Gloucestershire’s social housing waiting list, this partnership has allowed us to exceed the initial affordable housing quota of 35%. Through this partnership, every one of the 50 homes will provide housing options for local families.

"To tackle the housing crisis in the South West, it’s clear that we need to work together. Our partnership with Woodstock Partnerships shows how these kinds of collaborations can really make a difference for communities. Through this partnership, we’re able to create a fully affordable scheme that meets the pressing housing needs here in Bradley Stoke and brings lasting value to the area," said Sarah Maylor, Director of Development at Curo.

"We’ll also be managing these homes for the long term, and we’ve put a lot of thought into making sure they’re well-built and designed for people to enjoy for years to come. Because we’re a profit-for-purpose organisation with no paid shareholders, any extra funds go right back into maintaining our homes or building more affordable schemes."

“We are delighted to partner with Curo on this exciting project to deliver 50 high-quality apartments for social rent. At Woodstock Partnerships we are committed to creating homes that make a real difference to communities, and this development represents a significant step in addressing the demand for affordable housing in the region. We look forward to working closely with Curo to bring this project to life and provide much-needed new homes for local people to enjoy” said James Hutchinson, Managing Director of Woodstock Partnerships.

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.

Curo News

Curo and Woodstock Homes prepare to start work on 50 home scheme in South Gloucestershire

Planning permission secured for 280 new homes in Street, Somerset