First phase of major development could be built by council’s own housing company

Long-awaited plans for a major new housing development to the south of Whitchurch have taken another step forward after Shropshire Council’s new housing company said it would build the first 100 homes.

Cornovii Developments Ltd it is in talks with the developers working on a masterplan for around 500 properties on land off Tilstock Road, with the intention of taking on the first of four planned phases.

If the plans progress, it will be the fourth scheme put forward by the company since it was established in 2019 with the intention of building 1,000 houses over five years.

A new report by Cornovii bosses, published ahead of a meeting of the council’s housing supervisory board on Thursday, says regular meetings are being held with the developer, Brenig Construction, and affordable housing consultants Resolve 106.

The report says: “Brenig Construction would deliver 90 to 100 units on behalf of Cornovii Developments Ltd under a JCT Design and Build Contract following successful negotiation to purchase an agreed potion of the site identified under phase one.

“APD Architects have been appointed to draw a new masterplan and the layout will be completed in April 2021. House-types layouts have also been prepared.

“Technical due diligence has been carried out on the site by Brenig Construction and Cornovii Developments Ltd and regular meetings are being held to keep track of progress with detailed design.

“An updated feasibility appraisal will be undertaken once the new site layout plan is complete and all confirmed costs received.”

The report adds that the “biggest risk” to the delivery of the scheme is a mains water connection on the site, but Cornovii is working to resolve the issue with Welsh Water.

The development has been in the pipeline for more than a decade and planning permission was granted in 2015 for 500 houses, a school, a shop and sports grounds.

Shropshire Council awarded £1.2 million of community infrastructure levy (CIL) funds last year for drainage and utility work to open up the site, along with land for a new business park south of the bypass off Heath Road.

The Cornovii report also gives updates on the company’s first three developments in Shrewsbury, Ellesmere and St Martin’s.

Contractors Morris Property have begun clearing the site of the former Crowmoor House care home in Frith Close, Shrewsbury, ready to start building 33 houses. The report adds that 40 expressions of interest have already been received for the properties.

Meanwhile plans for 23 houses to be built at Ellesmere Wharf are set to be decided by the council’s northern planning committee this afternoon (Tuesday).

Another application for 35 homes on the former school site in Overton Road, Ifton Heath, St Martin’s, are expected to go before the planning committee in the spring.

The report will be discussed by the housing supervisory board on Thursday.