A government loan designed to create jobs and help economic growth has given a major boost to a new housing and business scheme in Bridgwater
The £1.4 million loan from the Growing Places Fund enabled Concise Construction to decontaminate the former Federal Mogul site in Bridgwater six months ahead of the original schedule.
Concise Construction worked with the Heart of South West Local Enterprise Partnership which administered the fund locally, and the Bridgwater scheme was the first in the region to receive a loan.
The first step to decontaminate the brownfield site is complete and leading housebuilder Barratt Homes has now launched the first homes for sale at the development – called Phoenix.
“We were due to hand over the land to Barratt this month for work to start on the new homes and homes to be available at the end of the year but we are six months ahead of schedule,’’ said Tony Lawson, chief executive of Concise Construction. “By working with Barratt, the LEP, county council, local authority and the Environment Agency, we have managed to bring the whole programme forward. This has meant more jobs for the area and homes ahead of time.’’
Tony said this was a great example of how the government, local authority and business sectors worked together with tremendous focus and determination. The handover was marked with a VIP reception at the new Barratt showhomes for those involved in the project.
Barratt managing director Tim Larner said the fund had been a valuable tool in the timing of project which will create 126 new homes and a business park with small units for start-ups.
“We are delighted to be able to offer homes at the new development, to provide employment for local people and to begin the regeneration of this site which has remained derelict for more than 10 years,’’ he said.
“Our work alone here will create around 250 new jobs, many for local people and the range of homes we are building will cater for the needs of people in the region.’’
Work on the business start up units will begin once the first homes are complete and additional infrastructure had been incorporated into the development.
