Burntwood-based Keon Homes has celebrated an unprecedented achievement in completing an £11.9 million Extra Care development eight months ahead of schedule.
The affordable homes and social housing specialist took just 20 months to build the 70-strong mix of one and two-bed apartments with private gardens and a communal café in Shropshire, which has been handed over to The Wrekin Housing Group.
Queenswood, close to the market town of Newport, will provide high quality living space and wraparound care and support for people over the age of 55.
Matt Beckley, Partnerships Director at Keon Homes, said at a celebratory open day: “Although we have a team that are experienced in terms of Extra Care, this is our first foray into the market as a company. And what a success it has been, with the site handed over to the highest standards and eight months early…that’s unheard of in this sector.
“Queenswood has been a remarkable story from the very start, where we worked together with a master developer to unlock a complex parcel of land for this type of development. In turn, it meant the entire site could be built out.”
He continued: “This approach is something we are rolling out to other open market housebuilders. Many don’t want to construct Extra Care schemes as they aren’t their ‘bread and butter’, but increasingly the big masterplans call for older people’s accommodation to be present. In essence, we can work with them to get an operational partner in line and solve a problem.”
Matt has described the strength of the firm’s relationship with The Wrekin Housing Group as ‘paramount to the speed of completion’.
Simon Thompson, Director of Development at Wrekin Housing Group, said: “This has been a great project to work on, from initial planning to handover, and I’d like to thank our partners at Keon Homes for their hard work in helping us to bring it to fruition. We’re now looking forward to welcoming our new tenants over the coming weeks.”
Queenswood was recognised earlier this year in the NHBC Pride in the Job Awards, with Keon Homes’ Matt Wilkes named as the overall Regional Winner for the West in the Multi-Storey Builder category, following earlier securing the Quality and Seal of Excellence titles.
