Member Article

Lovell start work on £10m Skipton scheme

Altrincham-based housing firm Lovell is ready to start work on a £10m development in Skipton, North Yorkshire after being selected by Craven District Council and Yorkshire Housing.

The scheme will create 57 stone-built family homes and apartments at the former Craven Council offices in Granville Street, close to the town centre.

45 homes will be made available on the open market included 10 offered through the Lovell low-cost home ownership scheme and 12 affordable and intermediate rented homes, which will be offered through Yorkshire Housing Association.

Construction will begin at the end of April on 16 apartments and 41 houses designed by Leeds-based Niemen Architects.

The firm expects work to finish by autumn 2015, while an apprenticeship scheme will also be set up with training and work opportunities for local people.

Lovell also expressed its wish to employ people from the Skipton area wherever possible, to add to the local economy.

Leader of Craven District Council, Cllr Chris Knowles Fitton, commented: “I’m delighted that the sale of the Granville Street site to Lovell has been completed.

“As well as meeting the growing demand for affordable homes, the mix will provide both market priced housing as well as housing through the Lovell Choice scheme which gives buyers the opportunity to move into home ownership on a limited but growing basis.

“I look forward to this development being completed and wish Lovell every possible success.”

Lovell regional director, Tony Tann, added: “We’re delighted that agreements have now been finalised and our team can start work.

“This high-quality development will create attractive new housing providing both affordable homes for rent and housing for sale as well as homes available through the Lovell Choice scheme which helps people on to the housing ladder by enabling them to buy a percentage of a property.

“Importantly, it will also deliver jobs and training opportunities locally as part of our Lovell Legacy commitment to providing lasting benefits for communities.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Miranda Dobson .