Having created its own construction and site development company – Aequus Developments Limited – our local authority is reporting good progress with its two initial domestic housing schemes.
The biggest is at Keynsham where the redevelopment of the council’s former offices into 95 contemporary studio, one and two bedroom apartments is a key part of the regeneration of the town centre. Now it’s reported that 91 of the 95 apartments have been sold.
The second scheme involves a development of nine energy-efficient family homes in Bath – which will help provide affordable housing – and have now reached the ‘topping out’ stage ahead of going on the market this Spring.
St Joseph’s Court at Sladebrook Road in Bath is an exemplar development supported by Bath & North East Somerset Council to provide six three-bedroom houses and three four-bedroom houses, two of which will be affordable homes.
The new homes are being built by Aequus, the council’s construction and development company originally set up to help deliver sustainable homes to meet local demand.
St Joseph’s Court, named after the former church located on the site, is being built to AECB Energy Efficient Building Standard which reduces overall CO2 emissions by 70% compared to the UK average for similar buildings. The site was acquired by Aequus from the Diocese of Clifton for development into family homes.
The houses are being constructed sustainably, will be very low-carbon and have a range of energy-efficient measures including air-source heat pumps and solar panels.
Councillor Tim Ball, cabinet member for Housing, Planning and Economic Development, said: “These new homes are exemplary for sustainability and low-carbon and will provide much-needed family and affordable housing in the heart of Bath.
The development leads the way for energy efficiency and supports Bath and North East Somerset to reach its zero-carbon goal by 2030. I look forward to seeing local families being able to enjoy these affordable homes when they are completed later this year.”
Find out more about Aequus at https://www.aequusdevelopments.co.uk/
Lol! Richard – you know that B&NES has bought 12 of the Keynsham Riverside development properties themselves as PRIVATE lets don’t you? At a cost of £2.6M to the Council Tax payer! Bought below market value. (Ask @landatthebottom on Twitter for more info).
If you want to do some investigative journalism why don’t you ask Gregory’s the sole estate agent on it, if they’ve been paid commission for B&NES buying the properties from themselves.