Construction of energy-efficient new homes in Bromsgrove has begun.

The first bricks have been laid on the site of the old Council House on Burcot Lane as 61 dwellings with superior energy efficiency measures start to go up.

The homes will be heated by air source heat pumps rather than gas, and there will be solar panels with battery storage on the houses, thanks to a £610,000 grant from the Government’s Getting Building Fund awarded via the Worcestershire Local Enterprise Partnership.

It’s a Bromsgrove District Council project, after the council decided to build the development of 18 houses, 39 flats and four maisonettes on its former head office site itself.

Leader of Bromsgrove District Council, Cllr Karen May, said: “We’re proud to deliver more homes to Bromsgrove, in a high-quality development that will give its residents the lower bills and smaller carbon footprints that higher energy efficiency standards bring.”

The development, of which 12 homes will be for social rent, six for shared ownership, six sold on the open market, and 37 for private rent, was supported by £1million from the Homes England accelerated construction programme, and the energy efficiency measures have been enabled by the Getting Building Fund.

Gary Woodman, Chief Executive, Worcestershire Local Enterprise Partnership said: “Worcestershire Plan for Growth recognises the economic opportunity as we move from carbon reduction to net zero. This development has been designed in line with this strategic aspiration and made possible through funding to create a demonstrator within the district for other developers to follow.

“The development includes a number of energy efficiency and carbon reduction measures including an air source heat pump heating system, removing the requirement for gas, and photovoltaic panels with battery storage to the houses, providing an 80% reduction in carbon emissions. This will also result in lower running costs for future residents, making the development a desirable place to live.”

Speller Metcalfe is building the homes, which are expected to be completed and handed over to the district council in January 2023.

Mark Eaton, Living Managing at Speller Metcalfe, said: “It’s been great to see the progress of Burcot Lane, with the footprint of the new homes starting to take shape. As a contractor we have a firm commitment to delivering sustainable schemes that provide a longer-term future for residents, and we are delighted to be working in partnership with Bromsgrove District Council to support their development programme.”

(L-R) District council Portfolio Holder for Finance and Enabling Cllr Geoff Denaro, Leader Cllr Karen May, and Portfolio Holder for Strategic Housing Cllr Shirley Webb visited the Burcot Lane site to see the progress.

The homes are being built where the old Council House stood.

The large footprint of the former council offices will now become low carbon flats, houses and maisonettes.

Images by Speller Metcalfe.