Coventry company's commitment to Wyken community continues

A Coventry family-firm is continuing a near 70-year commitment to improving a community in Wyken.

Deeley Group has started work on a fourth development in the area of Coventry – after already building a school, church and church hall since the 1950s.

The latest project, which is being delivered in partnership with housing provider Stonewater, will see the construction of 39 affordable new homes at a redundant brownfield site on Tiverton Road.

It is being led by Eleanor Deeley, deputy managing director at the Deeley Group, who follows in the footsteps of her father and grandfather in leading developments in Wyken.

George W. Deeley, who founded the company in 1936, was on-site for the building of nearby St John Fisher School in the mid-1950s.

The school was one of the first built in post-war Coventry and was the first school built by the company.

A 12-year-old Peter Deeley, now managing director, learned to drive a dumper truck for the first time on the development as he got his first taste of the world of construction.

He returned 20 years later to build the St John Fisher Church, providing a church for the parish that was formed in the 1960s.

And, 20 years on, Deeley were back in Wyken again, with current Deeley Construction managing director Martin Gallagher working as a quantity surveyor on the construction of the church’s parish hall in 1991.

Peter Deeley, managing director of the Deeley Group, said: “We have a long history of developments in the area and are now adding new housing to the numerous benefits we have brought to Wyken.

“My career in construction started on site in the area in the 1950s. But it’s safe to say health and safety regulations have come a long way since then, as I was given the chance to drive a dumper as a young boy!

“At the time, our yard was based just up the road in Stoke and the completion of St John Fisher School was the first school the firm built.

“The church was an interesting project and has been of huge value to the community, with the addition of the parish hall giving more space for people to come together.

“We have committed almost seven decades to improving lives for people living in Wyken and the new housing development at Tiverton Road is the next step in our development in the area.”

Eleanor Deeley, deputy managing director of the Deeley Group, added: “To be following in the family footsteps by bringing more important resources to this community is a great honour.

“As a child I recall going into the company offices on a Saturday, the family values are ingrained into me, and over the last 20 years I’ve seen the firm complete a wide range projects to improve the lives of people in communities around Coventry.

“By taking a short walk around the area you can see the positive impact the firm has had through the years and the housing project will bring further benefit to the people of Wyken.”

Matthew Crucefix, director of development (West) for Stonewater said: “We’re delighted to once again be working with Deeley Group on this project.

“It is important to Stonewater to work with partner organisations who know, understand and respect the local community in which we work.

“Over the years we’ve established a great working relationship with Deeley Group both as Stonewater during the last five years and with legacy organisation, Jephson Housing Association, prior Stonewater’s creation.

“We are delighted to be building much needed new affordable homes back in Warwickshire so soon after the completion of our joint scheme at Feather Lane in Nuneaton.  

“Our work locally really demonstrates our joint commitment to help tackle the housing crisis and do what we can to ensure everyone has the opportunity to have a place to call home.”