Work started on over 50 new affordable homes in Oswestry

Work has started on a new development of 53 new homes for affordable rent at the former brownfield Burbidge Stair Manufacturing site at Unicorn Road / Whittington Road in Oswestry.

The proposed site will consist of 35 two-bedroom houses, 13 three-bedroom houses, 1 four-bedroom house and 4 two bedroom bungalows.

All properties will be built to be energy efficient, meaning cheaper fuel bills for residents, as well as having allocated parking spaces, private gardens and secure fencing. The site at Unicorn Road is well placed to allow residents easy access to Oswestry town centre on foot or by using public transport.

The Trust held a drop-in consultation last year, which gave local residents the chance to view the proposed plans and ask any questions about the development; feedback was very positive with residents happy to see plans for the site to be redeveloped after being disused for some time.

The site under construction is the Trust’s fifth development of affordable homes in Oswestry and the surrounding areas, with other sites at Middleton Road, the Old Coal Yard in Gobowen, Bower Farm in St Martins, where a second phase was recently completed and a third is planned, and a new extra care development at Alexandra Road.

The Trust has a network of local shops, so new residents will have the benefit of a dedicated team, as well as an award winning same-day repairs service. The Trust also operates a local lettings system which ensures that homes go to those with a local connection to the area the properties are in.

The development will create 122 jobs including 6 apprenticeship opportunities, generating over £13 million to the economy and supporting local businesses and clubs, including the Trust’s sponsorship of the local Oswestry College football team.

The homes should be complete by Summer 2018.