Partners have marked the progress on a £20m housing scheme in the Forest of Dean at a launch event to celebrate the development.
They came together at the new King's Lodge development at Valley Road, Cinderford, to see how the site is being transformed from a former abattoir into a new community of 92 new and affordable homes.
King’s Lodge is situated in the heart of the Forest, with easy access to open woodlands and local amenities, whilst being close to main link roads for commuting. The first homes will soon be ready, offering flats and houses for sale and low-cost rent. The houses have been designed to appeal to single people, couples and families.
The project is the result of partnership working between the Forest of Dean District Council, Two Rivers Housing and the Homes and Communities Agency (HCA) and Kier Partnership Homes and is the first major step in the regeneration of Cinderford.
Thanks to an initial investment of £1.9m by the HCA, which acquired the 2.7 ha plot of land, the abattoir was able to relocate to new premises in the Cinderford Forest Vale Industrial Park, safeguarding jobs and releasing the site for housing development. Two Rivers Housing supported the scheme by investing £3m into the project for the provision of 37 affordable homes as part of the development.
Cllr Patrick Molyneux, Leader of the council said: “The Council has been happy to spearhead this project for the benefit of the district. The King’s Lodge development will provide much needed sustainable housing in Cinderford and is the first successful step towards the regeneration of the Forest.”
Adam Frontczak, HCA Area Manager, said: “Bringing new and affordable homes to Valley Road have been a key part in partners’ regeneration plans for Cinderford by creating better places to live, work and learn. A significant amount of work has gone into transforming this site into a high quality, desirable neighbourhood. This clearly demonstrates our commitment to Cinderford and I am sure that it will be celebrated by the local families living in the new homes.”
Cllr Graham Morgan, Chairman of Cinderford Regeneration Board said: “It is really pleasing to see the King’s Lodge development taking shape so quickly. The superb quality of these new homes is exactly what the Cinderford Regeneration Board would like to see more of in the town. It is also good news that the majority of people working with Kier’s sub-contractors are local people too. I would like to wish the Kier team all the very best for a successful completion in summer next year.”