Cannock Chase Council has celebrated the completion of 29 affordable homes built to a Future Homes Standard, according to the council, marking the first council properties in the district to meet this energy efficiency benchmark.
The homes were delivered on the former Aelfgar School site in Rugeley and form part of the 58-house Farriers Fold development, built by Lovell Partnership. The scheme includes a mix of two, three and four bedroom properties.
Partnership and delivery
The project demonstrates how local authorities can work with private sector development partners to deliver affordable housing and make use of council-owned land. Residents, partners and local councillors attended a completion event hosted by Lovell, where they could speak directly with representatives from both Lovell and the Council about their properties.
A dedicated trailer on site during the event demonstrated how to use the air source heat pumps effectively. These energy-efficient systems have the potential to support lower energy use and running costs while providing warm and comfortable homes.
Council and developer comments
Councillor Melissa Cecil, Portfolio Leader for Housing and Corporate Assets, said: "As the first council homes in the district built to Future Homes Standard, these properties set a new benchmark for energy efficiency and sustainability. This achievement forms part of the wider delivery of 58 new homes made possible through our successful partnership with housing specialist Lovell."
Chantel Cresswell, head of partnerships at Lovell in the West Midlands, added: "Farriers Fold is a strong example of what can be achieved when local authorities and experienced development partners work together to deliver much-needed council-owned homes. This partnership has enabled us to build the council's first affordable homes since 2021, as well as the very first homes it has delivered to the Future Homes Standard."
The completion comes as local authorities are being encouraged by government to play a greater role in delivering homes their communities need and supporting wider ambitions to increase the supply of affordable housing.