THE FIRST residents have made into their affordable energy-efficient new homes in Kingshurst into a home.
Managed by Solihull Community Housing (SCH), the 25 newly built homes on the site of the former Mountfort pub form part of a much wider regeneration scheme being delivered by the Council to completely transform Kingshurst Village Centre.
The development includes a mix of three and four-bedroom family homes as well as one-bedroom maisonettes.
Solihull Council say all of the properties have been designed with sustainability and energy efficiency in mind and built to minimise their environmental impact and provide residents with lower running costs.
As well as focusing on thermal efficiency in the build, each property is equipped with a range of low carbon and renewable technologies to help generate heat and power.
In the place of traditional gas boilers, air source heat pumps – a low-carbon heating alternative takes warmth from the air outside and uses it to supply heating and hot water – have been installed.
Each home has also been fitted with integrated solar PV panels to provide additional power and an EV charging point.
Kinghurst resident Steph said: “I’m really thrilled with my new home and feel so lucky to be part of the Kingshurst community.
“I’ve lived in and around the area my whole life so it’s great to be so close to my friends and family.
“All of the energy saving tech means that I can easily keep on top of my energy use and will help keep my bills down. It feels like a fresh start.”
Once complete, the final scheme will provide a new mix of sustainable housing and retail space, centred around a brand-new community health and wellness hub.
Councillor Ian Courts, leader of Solihull Council said: “It’s a proud moment to see the finished homes, knowing that they will have such a positive impact on the community.
“Handing over the first sets of keys represents an important milestone in delivering on a much wider scheme that will totally transform Kingshurst, while helping to address the current shortfall of affordable housing in Solihull.
“This is just the start for us, but it marks a significant initial contribution to the 78 new homes envisioned in the Kinghurst Masterplan while finally bringing the long vacant Mountfort site back into use.”
