Council plans to build 400 homes for market rent

Birmingham Council’s cabinet will receive a report next week outlining proposals to develop the homes on the St Luke’s estate in Highgate through an innovative partnership with housing association WM Housing Group and developer Willmott Dixon.

The development is understood to use a new funding model where the developer and council will both take an equity stake in the homes, with the aim of selling them on to an institutional investor within a five to 10 year time frame.

The scheme to build homes for market rent follows the develop of homes by the council through the Birmingham Municipal Housing Trust. It is intended to create 500 jobs during construction, as well as roles in management once the homes are built.

Willmott Dixon will provide training and apprenticeships for local people during the build.

John Lines, cabinet member for housing at Birmingham Council, said: ‘For a long time Highgate has been recognised as a priority for the council, but before now it has not been possible to begin redevelopment following the clearance of poor quality homes.

‘This innovative approach using private sector funding and public land will enable the development of cleared land in Highgate to bring forward much needed new housing.

‘Up to 400 new properties will be built alongside an improved neighbourhood park to serve the local and wider community.’