£2.5 billion joint venture celebrates start of first Warwickshire development

Work is underway on the first homes which will be delivered by a new £2.5 billion joint venture in Warwickshire.

Countryside Partnerships, Warwickshire County Council and Warwickshire Property and Development Group (WPDG) have celebrated the start of work on Develop Warwickshire’s first scheme, which will see 71 new homes created in the village of Warton, North Warwickshire.

Develop Warwickshire is a £2.5 billion joint venture between Countryside Properties and the council’s property company, Warwickshire Property & Development Group (WPDG), that is set to bring thousands of new homes and jobs to the county.

Its first project, named Brookmill Meadows, will feature a mix of two-, three-, and four-bedroom houses and bungalows. Platform Housing Group has been selected to manage the affordable housing at the scheme, with 40% of the homes earmarked for shared ownership and affordable rent.

The homes at Brookmill Meadows will prioritise energy efficiency and sustainability, incorporating modern methods of construction, air source heat pumps, electric vehicle charging points, and solar panels to minimise running costs and reduce carbon footprints. The development will also incorporate open spaces, sustainable urban drainage systems, and enhanced parking facilities for existing residents along Orton Road.

Financial contributions are being provided via the s106 to support services within the village for schools, health, police and open space. Brookmill Meadows is the first step in Develop Warwickshire’s aim to deliver 2,000 homes across the county.

The start on site demonstrates the council's dedication to maximising the county's assets for the benefit of its communities. The joint venture will unlock local sites and create sustainable, high-quality homes and communities, enhancing the overall liveability of Warwickshire.

Councillor Peter Butlin, Deputy Leader of Warwickshire County Council and Portfolio Holder for Finance and Property, said: “We are extremely proud of the Develop Warwickshire partnership between Countryside, Warwickshire Property and Development Group and Warwickshire County Council.

“This partnership is key to the County Council’s ambition to unlock the potential in local sites and make the most of the county’s assets for the benefit of our people and communities.

“The Brookmill Meadows development marks a significant milestone in our ambitious, long-term vision to create sustainable, high-quality, and affordable new homes that really enhance our county.”

Phil McHugh, Managing Director, West Midlands, Countryside said: “We’re pleased to be pushing forward with our first site within the Develop Warwickshire joint venture and to be partnering with Platform Housing Group. Brookmill Meadows embodies our commitment to affordable housing and sustainable living. With a focus on energy-efficiency, modern construction methods, and eco-friendly features, Brookmill Meadows will not only minimise costs but also reduce carbon footprints. This development, along with others under Develop Warwickshire, will not only address the pressing need for housing but also create thriving communities in Warwickshire.”

Kate Ellison, Director of Land, Partnerships and Business Development at Platform Housing Group, said: “We are delighted to be involved in this site and to be able to deliver more affordable housing opportunities for people and

families here in North Warwickshire. We hope the shared ownership and affordable rent options that will be created will go a long way to providing homes that form the foundations of a great life for our customers. I want to thank our partners Countryside as well as our colleagues at the Warwickshire Property and Development Group and Warwickshire County Council for their hard work on the project to date.”

Stuart Buckley, Managing Director of WPDG, said: “This marks a major milestone for Develop Warwickshire as construction work gets underway on the joint venture’s first residential development.

“We are proud to be bringing forward a development that will provide new sustainable homes in the county, including vital affordable housing for Warton, and enhance the surrounding area for existing residents.

“To be on site with our first development with six months of the formation of Develop Warwickshire demonstrates what can be achieved through the agility of the partnership between WPDG, Countryside Partnerships and Warwickshire County Council.”