Council's Pettiver Crescent development nears completion

BUILDERS have started putting the finishing touches to the first new homes at the council's Pettiver Crescent development in Hillmorton.
16 September 2014
House-builder Wates Living Space plans to hand over the first phase of completed properties to the council by the end of the month - with the first tenants set to move in within weeks.

The rest of the properties at the 23 home development look set to be completed during October - just a year after work started on site.

The Pettiver Crescent development has replaced 38 outdated flats for single tenants with modern, family-friendly homes.

The mix of properties comprises four one-bedroom maisonettes, 12 two-bedroom houses and seven three-bedroom homes.

All homes have been fitted with solar panels to reduce energy bills, while the properties have 43 off-road parking spaces.

The development has been named Sewell Place, in honour of long-serving Hillmorton councillor and former portfolio holder for housing, Bill Sewell, who retired from the council last year.

Cllr Leigh Hunt, Rugby Borough Council portfolio holder for sustainable communities, said: "We have delivered a high-quality development of family-friendly homes, increasing the mix of properties on offer for our tenants.

"Working with Wates Living Space, the development has been completed on schedule with minimal disruption to residents living nearby.

"We can now look forward to handing the first tenants the keys to a new home."

Wates Living Space moved on to the site last October, demolishing the old flats before starting building work in January.

During the development, inspectors from the Considerate Constructors Scheme (CCS) visited the site to ensure the highest standards of building practice were being met.

The CCS inspection considers a number of factors, including the appearance of the site, the safety of staff and the steps taken to minimise disruption to neighbours.

Wates Living Space were given 'excellent' and 'exceptional' ratings across the board following an inspection in July, earning the company a prestigious Performance Beyond Compliance award.

Matt Vale, construction manager at Wates Living Space, recently took councillors, council officers and Mr Sewell on a tour of the development.

He said: "We were pleased to welcome members of Rugby Borough Council on site to showcase the progress at Pettiver Crescent.

"It was also a privilege to introduce Sewell Place to former councillor Bill Sewell, after whom the development is named.

"We have formed strong relationships with the local community and building their homes has been really rewarding work.

"The first home are to complete by the end of September and we hope the new tenants enjoy them when they move in over the coming weeks."

Photo caption: Matt Vale, construction manager at Wates Living Space, Bill Sewell and Steve Shanahan, Rugby Borough Council's head of housing and property, at the new homes in Pettiver Crescent.