Places for People – the UK’s leading social enterprise – has today acquired land from Godwin Developments, to build over 50 new units to deliver much needed affordable homes in Shepshed, near Loughborough. As part of the enterprise’s long-term growth programme to deliver over 18,000 homes in the next five
Welcome news for Hampshire homebuyers, as leading social enterprise Places for People has launched a selection of 91 new homes in Bordon, at Whistle Wood as part of the NHS Healthy New Towns programme.[1] As a town with a distinct military history as a garrison town, Bordon and the neighbouring
PfP Capital, the Social Value and ESG-focused real estate fund manager, part of the UK’s leading social enterprise Places for People, has appointed Catherine Webster as its new Chief Executive Officer. Catherine, who starts at PfP Capital in January 2023, joins from property development and investment specialist Quintain where she is Executive Director for Strategy and Investment, leading on business
Places for People Group has today launched a new initiative which will help young women establish careers in construction. The Group is actively encouraging applications onto its Women into Trades programme – an initiative born out of a commitment to diversity and inclusion. It will offer currently unemployed women aged 18-24 in
The first spade in the ground has taken place at Places for People’s latest development in Bordon, Hampshire. Work is underway at Places for People’s second development in Bordon – Maple Fields, located off Station Road – which features a collection of two and three-bedroom semi-detached and detached homes and
Places for People is excited to release aerial images to show the progress being made at its Chapelton development, which is located just eight miles outside of Aberdeen. The development of high quality two, three and four-bedroom homes, offers the very best of rural and modern life, with beautiful scenery
Places for People Group has partnered with global engineering and design consultancy Arup to launch a pioneering new design guide. The manifesto, entitled What makes great places for people? has brought together their collective expertise to propose the universal qualities and principles of great places. The recommendations are based on
Countryside, the UK’s leading mixed-tenure developer, and Places for People, the largest UK affordable homes led placemaker, today announces a national framework agreement to accelerate live and future projects through the delivery of mixed-tenure developments. Under the agreement, Countryside and Places for People will work together to combine expertise in
BDC 319 : Aug 2024
Places for People – the UK’s leading social enterprise – has today acquired land from Godwin Developments, to build over 50 new units to deliver much needed affordable homes in Shepshed, near Loughborough. As part of the enterprise’s long-term growth programme to deliver over 18,000 homes in the next five years the new site will see a range of two to four-bedroom homes available to move in from 2024 including options to buy through the Government backed Shared Ownership scheme, and affordable rent. The site had existing outline planning consent and Godwin Developments obtained reserved matters approval from the council in Autumn 22. The development will help the local authority to meet its need for new high-quality affordable housing in the area. Ideally located just 0.5miles away from the Shepshed centre and only 0.8miles away from Junction 23 of the M1 Merchants Way not only does the site have great transport links for those commuting across the Midlands, but it sits within the heart of the local market town and offers close access to a range of amenities, giving residents the options to support local small businesses, as well as having easy access to a medical centre, post office and church. With four primary schools and three secondary schools the site is also ideal for families. Each home will offer plenty of space and is thoughtfully designed to give homeowners flexibility to make their home their own. All properties are built to high energy efficient standards, offering lower energy bills than second-hand homes. Nilam Buchanan, Regional Director for Developments in Central and North of Places for People commented: “At Places for People, we know that thriving communities can change lives, which is why we’re committed to creating more new homes across the UK that are affordable for people to live and address the UK’s housing needs. “Shepshed is a vibrant market town with a growing need for more new homes. We’re excited to be delivering a variety of properties with a range of purchase and rental options available, creating a great place to live for first-time buyers, growing families or even downsizers.” Stuart Pratt, Founder and Board Director at Godwin Developments, said: “We are really thrilled that Places for People will now be the custodian of this scheme, taking it forward through to the delivery and operation of new affordable and environmentally efficient homes for local people. Godwin has deep expertise in identifying the right sites and getting them through planning and Shepshed is a great example of this skill in action. The transaction will enable us to focus our efforts on other development projects across the country where we continue to seek residential, commercial and industrial opportunities that match our strategy.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Welcome news for Hampshire homebuyers, as leading social enterprise Places for People has launched a selection of 91 new homes in Bordon, at Whistle Wood as part of the NHS Healthy New Towns programme.[1] As a town with a distinct military history as a garrison town, Bordon and the neighbouring Whitehill are currently undergoing a complex £1billion regeneration programme to transform the area into a green, healthy and well-connected place for local residents to live. If this sounds like something you are interested in, speak to a Mortgage Broker and spend more time enjoying the search for your new property and less time stressing about the finances. Offering the perfect opportunity to live in this exciting new community, the collection of traditional two to five bedroom homes at Whistle Wood will be available through private sale and Shared Ownership, offering homebuyers a variety of options to step onto, or move up the property ladder. All properties include a garage or parking, cycle storage and a range of energy saving features including A rated boilers, low energy lighting and electric car charging points. Greg Hilton, Regional Managing Director for the South West at Places for People comments: “We are proud to launch our new collection of homes at Bordon and are thrilled to be playing a part in the town’s incredible transformation. With a rich military history dating back to the 1800s, Bordon is a truly unique place to live, and the extensive regeneration programme brings with it even more positive elements to the area, such as new leisure and retail facilities and improvements to local green space. With new homes available through private sale and Shared Ownership, buyers can select the buying option that best suits their needs, to purchase an energy efficient home within this well connected, healthy new town.” Every home at Whistle Wood will be built to a high standard, with elegant interiors throughout. Sleek kitchens will be designed by Symphony Group and will include Amtico flooring and stylish under cupboard lighting, alongside a variety of integrated appliances such as a washing machine, fridge/freezer and dishwasher to selected plots. Living spaces are designed to be light and spacious, with an ample number of double-glazed windows, and selected homes also feature French doors opening onto a private garden from the kitchen or dining room – perfect for bringing the outside in come rain or shine. The highly-anticipated transformation of the former Ministry of Defence land in Whitehill & Bordon is a collaborative multi-partner regeneration programme with a 15-year masterplan. Aiming to create a vibrant new community in the heart of Hampshire, the evolution of the former garrison town will bring over 3,350 new homes, 3000 new jobs and nearly 100,000sqm of new commercial, retail and leisure space. New community facilities will be built as part of the scheme, including a new and improved town centre, schools, a cinema, a public service hub and a new leisure centre with sports pitches. In addition to reaping the rewards of the fantastic new community facilities, residents at Whistle Wood will be able to take advantage of the plethora of local countryside. The development is located within close proximity to the Royal Woolmer Forest, a woodland area that is a designated site of special scientific interest and an outstanding wildlife sanctuary – home to at least twelve known species of reptiles and amphibians. With a selection of paths to enjoy by bicycle or on foot, residents can enjoy the perks of a countryside lifestyle. Those who choose to settle down at Whistle Wood will have a variety of cafes, local pubs and retail stores including Bordon Stores, Tesco, Lidl and Wilko just a few moments from home. Fitness enthusiasts can make the most of the local Anytime Fitness gym, whilst the drive-in Ticket Cinema and Phoenix Arts theatre are ideal places to spend some evening down-time. For families, there are a selection of local schools to choose from for all ages including Bordon Garrison Pre School, Bordon Infant School, Bordon Junior School and Oakmoor Secondary School. Commuting residents will be well-placed in Bordon. Alton rail station is a 17-minute drive away, offering direct services into London Waterloo in just over an hour (66 minutes). By road, the neighbouring cathedral towns of Winchester and Guildford are just 20 miles away, whilst the South Coast towns of Portsmouth, Southampton and Chichester are all within easy reach. The inclusion of a brand new relief road in the town’s regeneration plans will make travelling to and from the area even smoother. Prices at Whistle Wood start from £365,000. For further information, please visit https://homestobuy.placesforpeople.co.uk/find-a-home/whistle-wood-bordon/.
PfP Capital, the Social Value and ESG-focused real estate fund manager, part of the UK’s leading social enterprise Places for People, has appointed Catherine Webster as its new Chief Executive Officer. Catherine, who starts at PfP Capital in January 2023, joins from property development and investment specialist Quintain where she is Executive Director for Strategy and Investment, leading on business strategy, financing and investment initiatives. Catherine has worked in real estate investment and finance for 30 years and has held several senior investor and lender roles including private equity, fund management and investment banking at Hudson Advisors (Lone Star Funds), TIAA & Lehman Brothers Global Real Estate. Catherine’s experience is pan-European, across residential and commercial sectors and as an owner, JV partner, fund investor, mezzanine and senior lender. PfP Capital currently has £600m under management across its three existing funds and a significant growth plan. Commenting on Catherine’s appointment, Greg Reed, Group Chief Executive Officer of Places for People, and board member of PfP Capital, said: “Catherine is a stellar appointment for us. Since it was founded five years ago, PfP Capital has been successful, and we now have big plans for growth; we have the opportunity to build on our success to-date and really scale-up the business. “We have a brilliant team in place at PfP Capital and we’re grateful for the work and vision of former MD Chris Jones who founded the PfP Capital business out of Places for People in 2017 and retired earlier this year. I know the experience and leadership Catherine brings will add greatly to our team and really drive us forward.” Catherine added: “I’m delighted to be joining PfP Capital to lead the next stage of its journey. PfP Capital has established itself as a key player with a strong reputation in the market. The excellent team has nurtured partnerships with leading institutional stakeholders and has built a great base for future expansion as we look to not only grow the existing funds but also add new funds. Backed by the power of Places for People, the potential for growth from this solid foundation is massive. Above all, with the company’s strong social purpose, we will have a positive impact on the communities we serve and the wider UK society.”
Places for People Group has today launched a new initiative which will help young women establish careers in construction. The Group is actively encouraging applications onto its Women into Trades programme – an initiative born out of a commitment to diversity and inclusion. It will offer currently unemployed women aged 18-24 in six geographical locations, career opportunities within the Group’s affordable housing businesses. The initiative is being delivered by Places for People in partnership with not-for-profit training company Ixion, the Positive Transformation Group – which connects ethical businesses together – and Women into Construction (WiC). Cohorts will undertake an initial seven-week course, during which they will join Q&A sessions with female industry leaders, secure work experience, undertake online training, and be given a free toolkit to help them in their career pursuits. Debi Marriott-Lavery is Group Executive Director – Affordable Housing for Places for People and said: “The UK construction sector is still incredibly male-dominated, with females making up less than 16% of the workforce. I believe that through positive action we can redress the balance, giving young women the skills and training they need to start their career in construction. “This is an incredible sector to be a part of; within our Group we are creating and maintaining affordable homes in exciting new communities across the country. This is a great opportunity for young women to come and be a part of our journey, while also laying solid foundations for their future.” Upon their completion of the initial training programme, 12 graduates will be offered a two-year Level 2 Apprenticeship, working with Places for People Group’s construction repairs and maintenance departments. Following a performance-based review at the end of their apprenticeship, each candidate will then be offered a permanent position with Places for People. Trainees not moving onto the apprenticeship programme will also be supported long-term by Positive Transformation Group, which will help them find alternative training programmes. Kath Moore MBE, Managing Director of WiC said: “We are delighted to work alongside Places for People, a Group which shares our values and commitment to increase female representation in the construction sector. WiC is dedicated to changing the face of construction and is committed to developing new ways to support construction contractors to create lasting change in their businesses – this initiative is a great example of our work in action.” Dan Brown, Founder of Positive Transformation Group added: “Positive Transformation Group is committed to systemic positive change in society with a meritocratic, inclusive and diverse workforce being at the forefront of our vision for the future. Having the opportunity to create powerful collaborations for change with forward thinking industry leaders such as Places for People, HACT and Ixion, really brings this vision of the future to life.” The news comes as Places for People also announced it has signed the Plentific Women’s Trade Network Pledge to further demonstrate its commitment to women in the industry, by removing barriers and providing access to job opportunities, support and training. Debi concluded: “Our Group is committed to establishing a more inclusive organisation, and these are just some of the initiatives we are undertaking right now to help underrepresented groups establish careers. I am proud to announce the programme and look forward to welcoming our trainees in the coming weeks.” The Women into Trades programme will be offered to applicants in Leeds, Derby, Edinburgh, Preston, Huntingdon and Milton Keynes. Applications can be made now by visiting https://www.ixionholdings.com/current-opportunities/women-into-trades-traineeship-for-18-24-year-olds/
The first spade in the ground has taken place at Places for People’s latest development in Bordon, Hampshire. Work is underway at Places for People’s second development in Bordon – Maple Fields, located off Station Road – which features a collection of two and three-bedroom semi-detached and detached homes and one and two-bedroom apartments. Following on from the success of the first development in Bordon at Woolmer Copse, Maple Fields is bringing 60 new homes to the area, which is situated a stone’s throw away from Prince Philip Park. The properties will also boost the supply of new homes and make a positive contribution towards the supply of affordable housing in the area with homes available for sale through Shared Ownership and also to rent. 43 of the 60 homes will be modular, forming part of a wider £100 million joint venture between Places for People and ilke Homes leading modular housing company, which was announced in 2019. In the largest deal to date for Britain’s modular housing sector, Places for People agreed to purchase 750 units from ilke Homes. The two companies now have a modular development pipeline in excess of 1,000 units across a number of development schemes that are either already contracted or under negotiation. Places for People’s Managing Director for the South West region, Greg Hilton, said: “We are really pleased to be able to build on our success at Woolmer Copse and we are confident Maple Fields will achieve the same standards and create a sense of community, which are key priorities for us. “I am thrilled that work is underway on these high-quality new homes in Bordon and we are delighted to be working with ilke Homes once again. Thanks to their standardised processes, we are able to provide affordable housing in a quicker time period whilst delivering 43 homes to the highest quality and ready for occupation over a four-month period, reducing the build programme to a fraction of that which would be expected using traditional methods. “At Maple Fields we’re creating a range of affordable and well-designed houses and apartments which will give our customers unrivalled choice and quality in Bordon.” Phil Pearson, Development Director at ilke Homes, said: “Our joint venture with Places for People remains a sector-defining moment for the modular housing industry. The latest scheme we’re delivering for the Group is a great example of how offsite manufacturing can help speed up the construction of new-builds and improve quality while ensuring that the homes delivered are some of the most energy-efficient in the country.” Homes England, the Government’s national housing agency, has been championing modular housing as a solution to speeding up the delivery of affordable housing across the UK. Last year, the Government’s national housing agency announced that housing associations looking to sign deals under the new £11.5 billion Affordable Housing Programme will have to commit to using modern methods of construction (MMC) to deliver at least a quarter of their pipelines.
Places for People is excited to release aerial images to show the progress being made at its Chapelton development, which is located just eight miles outside of Aberdeen. The development of high quality two, three and four-bedroom homes, offers the very best of rural and modern life, with beautiful scenery on its doorstep and excellent transport links into the city. With over 40 new homes under construction, we have released a range of two and three-bedroom homes that are available through shared equity, and a range of mid-market rental apartments and bungalows. Sales and Marketing Director, Allison Sutherland said: “It’s great to see the site coming to life in these aerial photos. Chapelton is located in a beautiful area and will create a thriving community. “The development has been very popular, due to the desirable location and the range of high-quality homes available. Homes at Chapelton are finished to a high specification, which includes tiling in bathrooms, beautiful high-quality shaker style kitchens with integrated appliances and French doors connecting to the rear gardens. “With a range of two, three and four-bedroom homes, available to buy or rent, there’s never been a better time to take a look at Chapelton – we really do have something to suit everyone’s budget. “With our updated marketing suite and show home now open, we are looking forward to welcoming visitors to view our Chapelton development.” Chapelton is a long-term vision to create a new sustainable town, comprising 8,000 homes and an equal number of job spaces, as well as all the amenities you would expect. Located just eight miles south of Aberdeen, the development pays homage to the established buildings of north eastern Scotland, with homes integrating local materials such as slate, granite and stone. For further information about homes available at Chapelton and ways to buy, contact our Sales Executive on or click on www.homestobuy.placesforpeople.co.uk/find-a-home/chapelton/
Places for People Group has partnered with global engineering and design consultancy Arup to launch a pioneering new design guide. The manifesto, entitled What makes great places for people? has brought together their collective expertise to propose the universal qualities and principles of great places. The recommendations are based on research into the UK’s changing demographics; the population is projected to increase to 73 million by 2041, while people in the 65+ age bracket will rise from 18% to 26% of the total population – meaning that the creation of new homes must be sustainably accelerated and considerations need to be made for older living communities. The guide also analysed societal trends including the pandemic-induced work from home trend, with 76% more people now working from home than a decade ago, Basedon these findings, Places for People and Arup created six key principles which address how developers should put people first, how new developments should be built, how existing places should be managed, and how new neighbourhoods connect to our surroundings. Key themes explored within the guide include an assessment of people, place and planet, as well as an analysis of the changing context in which developments take place – including the factors that are driving demographic, social and environmental change. It also assesses the impact of COVID-19. Places for People Group Chief Executive David Cowans explained: “Our vision is to create thriving, sustainable communities that are good for people, and for the planet, and this design guide gives us a framework which enables us to do this.” Places for People’s track record already includes more than 71,000 social and affordable rented homes currently managed by the business; in the past year the company built 1,226 affordable homes. Places for People also generated £286.1m in social value in the year ending 2020. David continued: “We have already proven how long-lasting communities can be created, with Places for People neighbourhoods up and down the country offering affordable and attainable homes for people from all backgrounds – places in which residentscan lead fulfilling lives. “Our experience shows that mixed-use and mixed-tenure places lay the foundation for social cohesion, economic prosperity, and environmental sustainability. We want to ensure that places are genuinely inclusive and have a range of facilities for the benefit of local communities to help them thrive in their work, life and leisure pursuits.” Reflecting on the partnership, Arup Director Sowmya Parthasarathy – an architect and urban designer with over 25 years of global experience, who was recently named as a Woman of Influence 2021 and led on the project, said: “The way that we live is changing and it is imperative that all developers advocate for and deliver spaces that accommodate everyone. This is essential to promote a high quality of life, and a welcoming and inclusive atmosphere for people from all backgrounds. “With this, and the National Design Guide in mind, we have collated our research and findings to propose what we believe are the essential qualities and principles of great places. These principles aim to be universal, inclusive, and relevant to all people, irrespective of their age, gender, background, family structure, or socio-economic status. “I am immensely proud to have been involved with this body of work and look forward to the principles being applied to exemplary and sustainable neighbourhoods in the future.” Underpinned by broader industry findings, the Guide has also been cross referenced against recently published Government papers including Building Better Building Beautiful, MHCLG’s National Design Guide, and the National Model Design Code. The full published document is available to download now at https://www.placesforpeople.co.uk/about-us/publications/place-design-guide/.
Countryside, the UK’s leading mixed-tenure developer, and Places for People, the largest UK affordable homes led placemaker, today announces a national framework agreement to accelerate live and future projects through the delivery of mixed-tenure developments. Under the agreement, Countryside and Places for People will work together to combine expertise in creating high quality homes and places that give opportunities for communities to thrive. It is envisaged that up to 10,000 mixed tenure homes will be developed through the framework over a ten-year period across the UK. Countryside continues to see attractive opportunities for growth to deliver a mix of private for sale, PRS and affordable homes and this framework agreement will allow the homebuilder to develop large sites more quickly. Operating nationwide, Places for People’s strategy to deliver more homes and more choice has seen the company work with a number of partners including Homes England, and develop new delivery models. Working with Countryside and utilising the strengths of both parties will help to continue to boost its capacity and aid Places for People’s strategic aim of increasing the delivery of affordable housing and mixed-tenure communities. Iain McPherson, Group Chief Executive, Countryside, said: “We are delighted to have formed a strategic relationship with Places for People, to deliver much-needed mixed-tenure housing. Our business has a proven track record and, together with our clear strategy for growth, we look forward to continuing to work with our partners as we focus on the delivery of high quality and sustainable mixed-tenure communities.” David Cowans, Group Chief Executive, Places for People, said: “For our future housing market to be successful, we need to provide more housing choice, improve quality and increase efficiency. Working with Countryside, a business that shares our commitment to creating well designed, sustainable communities, will help us deliver quality homes that provide choice and meet people’s needs and aspirations.”
