This commitment from the council will accelerate the provision of housing, including much-needed affordable housing, in the district.

Warwick District Council, investing £60 million into the joint venture, will receive 248 affordable homes which are zero- carbon and built to ‘national development space’ standards. Milverton Homes will receive a further 62 for private rent, enabling an excellent quality product for this market.

The new homes will be built to high environmental standards, responding to the climate emergency declared by the council. Through this initiative, the council has been able to negotiate that half of the site will be carbon-neutral, with increased thermal capacity and air source heat pumps, enabling this development to act as an exemplar for housebuilders and landowners. 

Becoming a net-zero carbon organisation by 2025 Warwick District Council/Milverton Homes have already worked on establishing a “Warwick standard”, improving the developer specifications of traditional house builders to achieve more efficient homes and this will make a considerable contribution to reducing the total carbon emissions within Warwick District, by 2030.

In addition, these new ‘healthy homes’ will support an improved quality of life for those suffering with respiratory diseases asthma and bronchitis, nervous system, and cardiovascular diseases, as well as cancer.

Portfolio Holder for Homes, Health and Wellbeing, Councillor Jan Matecki said;

“This is really welcome news for the district.  Our overall vision is to create healthy and sustainable developments that will stand the test of time; neighbourhoods that are inclusive and improve the lives of both new and existing residents. Through the provision of funding, the council can broker a greater stewardship role in place-shaping and meeting climate change objectives. “

Chair of Milverton Homes, Lisa Barker said, “This is an exciting partnership which will transform a key area of the district. All of this has been made possible by the investment from Warwick District Council and the development expertise of Vistry Group. It will help to showcase what can be achieved by working together.”

Funding has also enabled the Council to negotiate with the developer for social value to be considered as an outcome for the development with considerations such as apprenticeships supporting increased employment within the building trades.